Notes
A “Tabua” (pronounced tam-boo-uh) is an early- to mid-19th century Polynesian ornament representing wealth & status of the owner. Whale teeth were the basis of several island economies. The acquisition of multiple tabuas was one way to become chief of a local tribe, and tabua presentations were a strong way to gain favor with the king.
The “necklace” supporting this 18.8-ounce tooth is 42-inches of braided, woven sennit (palm fiber), also called magimagi in the Fijian language, (pronounced maangi maangi). A small hole was bored in the tooth skirt using a pointed sea shell, and another in the tooth tip. This circa 1825 Fijian tabua was most likely worn about the neck as a sign of Royal authority. The deep yellow-orange patina was enhanced by oil and smoke from display proximity to council fires.
In some South Pacific societies, punishment for even the smallest crimes (like stepping on the king’s shadow) was punishable by death. The offering of a whale tooth by an offender could buy oneself out of debt, or erase a death penalty. In the case of an accidental death (like during fight training, mock battle, etc.), a tabua offered to the grieving family re-set the balance of life.
Visiting American whalers soon discovered that whale teeth were the most valuable item an islander could own, and were easily convinced by lovely, friendly, single women to co-habitate for the length of the ship’s port visit. Naturally, a small tooth was an adequate offering of gratitude to the young wahine.
Single, South Pacific women were very close to the bottom of the social ladder, with practically no rights. The possession of a whale tooth was immediate, undeniable power, i.e. a license to kill. More than one young woman murdered a rival, or a family antagonist, then wiped the slate clean with the presentation of a whale tooth. Soon, though, the South Pacific islands were flooded with whale teeth from very happy whalers, and the value of a tooth plummeted to ordinary ornamentation. This literally shook the foundations of certain island societies, and tribes invited Missionaries to establish schools, hospitals, & churches. Island kings with waning power also invited dignitaries & diplomats to introduce western style law & order, and the assimilation of the South Pacific was underway.
Antique and Antique Collecting
Antiques have always lured those with a passion for the past and its cultural significance. Antique collecting though is a serious hobby which requires the hobbyist to posses a great deal of information on the history and other correlating facts if they are to land a reasonable purchase. Most often if not antiques make their way into the mainstream market via simple garage sales, auction houses etc. wherein the owner would have overlooked the significance of these precious collectables.
A reflection and testimony of the glorious past, Antiques are undoubtedly rare. Perhaps that is why Antiques have been collected and preserved for over thousands of years as a souvenir and tribute to what has been and gone. After all, those heard are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter!
Antique collecting has been in the books since the 16th century, gaining momentum through the 18th century to grow into what is now a healthy international business thats on par with the art industry. Some individuals prefer to collect antiques from a specific era, while most are into specific objects and aim at a timeline based collection such as vintage cars or clocks from the 1950s for example. The purchase of antiques is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the effort that goes into their maintenance. Most objects would be anywhere in the range of 50 to 100 years old. The biggest culprit to an antiques degradation is exposure to natural elements, even the air in most cases!
Over the years, antique collecting has taken another curious twist as certain home décor trends these days reflect on a retro feel. For this reason a lot of long lost furniture and clothing styles from half a century ago have found their way back into the current world with small changes that help them amalgamate into the 21st century. This trend of commercially viable antiques has had a negative impact on the market as replicas of famous antiques have been making the rounds and authenticity issues are far too common. Examples for the same would be pendulum clocks, bone china and the 1970 – 1979 contemporary modern furniture.
When it comes to venturing towards a purchase, its best for an individual to take assistance from the nearest antique dealer organization as it would guarantee both its authenticity as well as cover any legalities. Most often the replica market supplies the same antiques at a much lower price and the buyer could suffer serious repercussions on purchasing from such sources as these pieces are not officially accounted for. Antique collecting needs to be met with diligence and maturity in order to successfully sustain the past in the present.
