Tabua

Tabua Isole Fiji

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Technique and Dimensions:

Ivory (sperm whale tooth, Physeter macrocephalus), vegetable fibres

Location:

C.D.A.1041, Legato Cap.E.A. D'Albertis, 1932

Provenance:

Second half of 19th century

Consisting of a sperm whale tooth, it possessed a sacred value and was given on occasions of particular social and religious importance. They were appreciated tabua with dark patina, obtained by exposing them, anointed with coconut oil, to the fumes of a fire.