*Three tabua pendants, Fiji Islands Sperm... - Lot 100 - De Baecque et Associés

Lot 100
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Estimation :
2000 - 3000 EUR
Result without fees
Result : 1 600EUR
*Three tabua pendants, Fiji Islands Sperm... - Lot 100 - De Baecque et Associés
*Three tabua pendants, Fiji Islands Sperm whale teeth L. 14,5 cm, 18 cm and 19 cm Provenance: Private collection, Switzerland These tabua pendants are composed of a tooth from the lower jaw of the sperm whale, pierced at each end to pass a braided cord of coconut fiber. In Fiji, marine ivory is a very precious commodity, so these teeth are coated with fragrant coconut oil and rubbed. Gathered in large quantities, the tabua are a prestigious offering. It is not a necklace per se, but rather a medium of speech, transmitted from generation to generation. The use of tabua is plural, but always linked to important events: presented during great state speeches, offered as a token of marriage, during death rituals, or to ask for forgiveness for a fault. The Fijian writer Ravuvu perfectly sums up the character of the tabua, which is "the highest symbol of respect, deference, loyalty, goodwill, acceptance, recognition and even submission that one individual or group can offer to another. This lot is a temporary import and is subject to a 5.5% buyer's fee in addition to the selling price and auction price. For an exit of the EU a CITES of re-export will be necessary, this one being the responsibility of the future purchaser.
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