Figure

Object Number:	18194A
Current Location:	Collections Storage
Culture:	Fijian Tongan
Provenience:	Fiji Islands Tonga Islands
Date Made:	Before 1875
Early Date:	1850
Late Date:	1875
Section:	Oceanian
Materials:	Whale Ivory Metal
Technique:	Carved
Height:	15 cm
Width:	5.5 cm
Credit Line:	Gift of William Pepper, 1891
Other Number:	LE706 - Other Number

Description

Figure carved from sperm whale tooth. Holes in back of head may have been drilled for suspension. Left shoulder and arm broken off and mended with iron pins. Collected in Fiji but possibly made in Tonga. One of a handful of small whale ivory figures collected in Fiji and Tonga during the second half of the 19th century. Little is known about the function and significance of these figures: they seem to have been objects of reverence, but not worship.

Current & Past Exhibitions:

Polynesia Gallery (28 Jan 1982 - Jun 2010)	View Objects in Exhibition
Loan Exhibition - Objects Used in Religious Ceremonies, and Charms and Implements For Divination (16 Apr 1892)	View Objects in Exhibition

Bibliography:

[Article] Pezzati, Alessandro, and Davenport, William H. et al. 1988. "Oceania". Expedition: The Magazine of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Vol. 54. no. 3. pg. 41-42 Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 42 (center right)	View Objects related to this Actual Citation
[Book] Quick, Jennifer. 2004. Magnificent Objects from the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.. Philadelphia. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. ed. 1st. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 176	View Objects related to this Actual Citation
[Catalogue] Wardwell, Allen. 1967. The Sculpture of Polynesia.. The Art Institute of Chicago. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 16	View Objects related to this Actual Citation
[Book] Larsson, Karl E. 1960. Fijian Studies.. Etnologiska Studier. Vol. 25. pg. 1-147 Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 72	View Objects related to this Actual Citation
[Article] Davidson, Daniel S. 1947. "The Oceanic Collections of the University Museum". The University Museum Bulletin. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Vol. 12. no. 3-4. pg. 1-109 Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 80	View Objects related to this Actual Citation
[Book] Wingert, Paul S., and Linton, Ralph. 1946. Arts of the South Seas.. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 19	View Objects related to this Actual Citation
[Catalogue, Exhibition] Culin, Robert S. 1892. Loan Exhibition: Objects Used in Religious Ceremonies and Charms and Implements for Divination.. University of Pennsylvania, Department of Archaeology and Paleontology. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: page 162 #706	View Objects related to this Actual Citation