Oceania, Polynesia, Samoa, ca. 19th century CE. A superb sperm whale tooth necklace known as a ula lei (Samoa) or a wasekaseka (Fiji) of carved whale teeth with over 40 carved teeth arranged, tip outward on sennit fiber woven into cordage. The teeth are in fact shaved and sliced down to crescent-shaped slivers and then drilled - a time painstaking process to avoid wasting any part of the tooth! Then strung and lashed into place by weaving the cords over each other. The lashing style is most like Samoan examples. The necklace is attached to a black acrylic panel in a display case. Sperm whale teeth are a form of ivory, and highly prized by islander cultures, and the size and number of teeth increase the value of the necklace. These necklaces 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. Size of necklace: 7" Diameter (17.8 cm); case: 13.25" L x 4" W x 13.25" H (33.7 cm x 10.2 cm x 33.7 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of whale ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010

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#184713

Professionally mounted in a museum quality display case and encased in acrylic. Not examined outside of case. Teeth are intact, and cords have some fraying to knotted ends, but otherwise appear intact. Great condition.