waseisei
Sperm whale (Physeter catodon) teeth, coconut fiber
Width 16in (40.6cm)
Provenance
Christie's, London, 18 June 1991, Lot 98
Hélène and Philippe Leloup, Paris
Important Private Collection, acquired from the above in 1991
Superbly fashioned and finely strung with twenty-seven even and graduating tusks, this impressive necklace retains its honey color achieved by oiling, smoking, polishing and protecting from light.
Steven Hooper notes, "An enormous variety of necklaces and pendants were made in Fiji in the 19th century. Those made of durable materials such as whale ivory and certain species of shell appear to have been most significant, probably because of their association with the sea, but ephemeral components such as hibiscus fibre (vau), leaves and flowers were and remain very important in the manufacture of special garlands (salusalu) given to guests and won by those who are the focus of ritual." (Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific, Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, University of East Anglia, 2016, p. 134.)
Cf. (Ibid., figs. 33-36) for similar early to mid-19th century examples.
waseisei
Sperm whale (Physeter catodon) teeth, coconut fiber
Width 16in (40.6cm)
Provenance
Christie's, London, 18 June 1991, Lot 98
Hélène and Philippe Leloup, Paris
Important Private Collection, acquired from the above in 1991
Superbly fashioned and finely strung with twenty-seven even and graduating tusks, this impressive necklace retains its honey color achieved by oiling, smoking, polishing and protecting from light.
Steven Hooper notes, "An enormous variety of necklaces and pendants were made in Fiji in the 19th century. Those made of durable materials such as whale ivory and certain species of shell appear to have been most significant, probably because of their association with the sea, but ephemeral components such as hibiscus fibre (vau), leaves and flowers were and remain very important in the manufacture of special garlands (salusalu) given to guests and won by those who are the focus of ritual." (Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific, Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, University of East Anglia, 2016, p. 134.)
Cf. (Ibid., figs. 33-36) for similar early to mid-19th century examples.
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
