Two Fiji tabua Polynesia sperm whale teeth

Two Fiji tabua

Polynesia

sperm whale teeth, pierced at either end and with plaited sennit, early 20th century,

14.5cm and 15cm long. (2)

CITES A10 (non-transferable) licence no. 544776/01.

Provenance

By repute presented to Gwynfor Bowen-Jones by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara at a yaqona (kava) ceremony on Suva.

Bowen-Jones worked in Fiji in the mid 20th century for Fijian Sugar Corporation.