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.

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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.

#171045

Loss 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.