'Au tapulu

'Au tapulu. Tattoo implement, narrow blade. 'Au tapulu is a specific type of 'au ta (tattoo implement). It is a smaller tool used for tattooing dots and fine motifs. It is made up of three components: a wooden handle, tortoise shell plate, and a fine tooth comb made from pigs tusk. The tortoise shell plate is narrow and rectangular in size. It is attached to the top of the handle with a nail as well as lashed with nylon fishing line. The comb is the same width as the plate and is lashed onto the plate with nylon line.

Ingoa Kē

Au tapulu (Samoan)

'Au ta (Samoan)

Tattoo implement (English)

Wāhi

Auckland/New Zealand

Wāhi Hāngai

Samoa/Pacific

Accession Number

1991.70

Rā Tāpiringa

30 Apr 1991

Tohu Tuakiri Kē

53806 (ethnology)

Wāhanga

Pacific