Necklace
97-120-361
From: United States of America | Hawaiian Islands
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Native Name | Lei Niho Palaoa |
| Object Number | 97-120-361 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Hawaiian |
| Provenience | United States of America | Hawaiian Islands |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Whale Ivory | Human Hair | Plant Fiber |
| Description | "Lei neho palaua. Ancient Royal Necklace of finely braided human hair, with pendant, carved from the tooth of the sperm whale, into a hook. Whale tooth necklaces ( lei niho palaoa ) were worn on ceremonial occasions by aristocratic men and women in ancient Hawai’i. They were also worn by men in battle. They were seen as embodying part of the essence and power ( mana ) of a man: when a leader was killed in battle his enemies took possession of his lei niho palaoa as well as his body in order to conquer his spirit completely |
| Length | 11 cm |
| Width | 4 cm |
| Credit Line | Gift of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1997 |
| Other Number | L-120-361 - Old Museum Number | 10536 - ANSP Number |
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