Neck ornament of sperm whale teeth strung on multiple strands of plaited coconut fibre wound with bark cloth. [El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 12/12/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: Neck ornament of sperm whale teeth strung on multiple strands of plaited coconut fibre wound with bark cloth. [El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 12/12/2005]
Geographical reference: Fiji
Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji; Unknown
Person: Maker Unknown Maker; Field collector Unknown Collector; PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection
Date / Period: Date made: Possibly before 1878
Date collected: ?Prior to 1878
Acquisition information: Donated: 1884
Materials and processes: Material Whale Tooth Animal, Material Plant Fibre, Material Bark Cloth Textile Plant, Process Perforated, Process Bound, Process Drilled
Dimensions: Length: max 330 mm including string
Object numbers: Accession number: 1884.74.7 PR Cat other PR nos: 3437
Research and responses: Examined on the 12th/13th June by Fergus Clunie and Andy Mills as part of the work of the AHRC-funded project 'Fijian Art: Political Power, Sacred Value, Social Transformation and Collecting Since the 18th Century' (2011-2014). His notes read: Vuasagale/sisi necklace. 2 teeth originally tabua (holes are native drilled necklace attachment holes are metal drilled). magimagi string 5 x 2 [illegible word] two 2-twist wayaka? fibre whipped with whale [illegible word]. One tooth tip roughly [illegible word] for what purpose? [FB 18/06/2012]
This object was examined by Steven Hooper (UEA) during a research visit in December 2011. He made the following comments: There are nine elements, two with ends pierced (previous use as tabua?). One point worked in concentric circles. Rather random set of teeth, roughly assembled, possibly not long before disposed in 1850s-60s. [El.B 19/12/2011]

Search terms: Ornament, Ritual and Ceremonial, Status, Neck Ornament, Ceremonial Object