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An Aurei whalebone cloak pin, Aotearoa, chiefly Aurei (marine…
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Description:
An Aurei whalebone cloak pin, Aotearoa, chiefly Aurei (marine ivory cloak pin). Aurei were fashioned from whalebone, whale teeth, greenstone and shell; whale teeth were the most prised. The term Au stems from the old Polynesian for needle and Rei refers to whale ivory from which the most prestigious were made (whilst 'Aurei' specifically names the whale teeth examples, it has become the colloquial term for all cloak pins). This fine and early example is presented in rich whale ivory with a deep aged patina. The suspension end is finely adorned with a softly carved humanoid tiki figure when held upside-down with the hourglass-hole forming the open mouth. Curving down the length of the body and terminating in a fine rounded point, this chiefly example is presented on a custom stand. Length 13 cm, width 1.3 cm, on stand height 16.7 cm. Registered as Aurei whalebone cloak pin. Provenance: Private Collection, Aotearoa
Estimate:
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Category:
Tribal: New Zealand Maori