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 curved and tapered towards its tip, and ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is highly polished and a yellow-orange colour, possibly enhanced through a smoking technique. Several fine scratches and dents on the tabua's surface. The rim around the base of the tooth is jagged and thin. The hollow inner cavity of the tabua extends into the middle of the interior of the tabua, conical in shape and dark brown in colour.