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Tabua

human history
  • Other Name

    Whale tooth (English)

  • Description

    Tabua. A ceremonial whale's tooth with a hole drilled at its tip and base areas for suspension. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. Sourced from a tovuto (sperm whale), the tabua is horn-shaped, tapered towards its tip, and ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is highly polished and an amber colour, possibly enhanced through a smoking technique. Several fine scratches and nicks on the tabua's surface.

    "MANA" etched into the surface of the tabua. The rim around the base of the tabua is jagged and grooved. The hollow inner cavity of the tabua is conical in shape and dark brown in colour.

  • Place
    Fiji
  • Accession Number
    1945.56
  • Accession Date
    1945
  • Other Id

    28056.2

  • Department

    Pacific

Tabua, 1945.56, 28056.2, Photographed by Jennifer Carol,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Tabua, 1945.56, 28056.2, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 24 Jul 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1945.56, 28056.2, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 24 Jul 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1945.56, 28056.2, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 24 Jul 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1945.56, 28056.2, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 24 Jul 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1945.56, 28056.2, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 24 Jul 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1945.56, 28056.2, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 24 Jul 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply

Artefact

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