Tabua. A ceremonial whale's tooth with suspension cord. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. Sourced from a tovuto (sperm whale), the tabua is semi-circular in shape. It is ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is highly polished and a golden yellow colour, possibly enhanced through a smoking technique. Deep brown colour in the grooves in the enamel. There is a large dent in the underside of the tabua. "ALAN" scratched into the side of the tabua. The rim around the base of the tabua is jagged and thin. A shallow hollow cavity is deep brown in colour. Suspension cord is dark brown in colour made from box braided magimagi (coconut sennit) and connected to the tabua's drilled holes via small segment of metal wire connecting the cord to the tabua.