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THBRare 19th C. Fijian Whale Tooth Wasekaseka Necklace
Lot 130
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$10,000 - $15,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
May 19, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-05-19 10:00:00
2022-05-19 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities | Ethnographica | Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ethnographica-fine-art-9350
Featuring a very special collection of Fine Art from the Hollywood Hills, including Picasso & Rookwood ceramics! Also included are many fine examples of classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring a very special collection of Fine Art from the Hollywood Hills, including Picasso & Rookwood ceramics! Also included are many fine examples of classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (342)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Polynesia, Fiji Islands, ca. 19th century CE. An incredibly important and rare necklace known as a wasekaseka (or waseisei), made from sperm whale teeth that are shaved and sliced down to crescent-shaped slivers, drilled through for suspension, and strung on a twisted sennit coconut fiber cord. The 24 teeth are highly polished and smooth- a few cut at an angle to expose the internal pulp cavity, and they are threaded in a graduated arrangement on the strand, with the longest at the center which measures 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length! The number and size of teeth increase the value of the necklace the prestige of the wearer. Whale tooth wasekaseka are highly symbolic as markers of rank and status among chiefs and they could also be used as highly honorific gifts, trade for costly items, or even as ransom items when certain individuals were captured by opposing tribes. Size of necklace laid flat: 20" Diameter (50.8 cm); longest tooth: 5" L x 0.375" W (12.7 cm x 1 cm)
According to the curatorial team of the Museum of New Zealand, "Whales' teeth are prized by Fijians and other Pacific peoples, Tongans and Samoans in particular. During the 19th century's Pacific whaling industry, fueled by a Euro-American demand, whale teeth became more readily available in Fiji and this resulted in the greater production of valuable objects being made from these teeth. Tongan and Samoan canoe craftsman living in Fiji carved waseisei for Fijian chiefs using metal tools that had been introduced by European traders and whalers of the time."
For a similar example of this necklace and more information, please see the Museum of New Zealand's website, registration number: OL002207.
Several states and countries prohibit the importation of materials from endangered species, including sperm whale teeth/ivory. Please check your country's laws before bidding on this piece. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1973.
Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection; ex-Jess Peters Sale, February 1979; ex-Howard Gibbs collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#171045Loss to tip of tooth near terminal end. Chips and stable fissures near drill holes and on body of several. Dark toning and yellow patina throughout. Some fraying to sennit fiber.Condition
- Shipping Info
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