Rare Tongan Whalebone Chest Ornament, of symmetrical abstract form, fashioned from a single piece of fine marine ivory, from the roof of a whalebone jaw. Center line decorated with subtle linear relief, receding as the line falls through to the base of the lower plate. A relief border of a culminating zigzag motif extends around the entire form. Suspension holes incised at upper corners are hourglass in shape and show signs of wear. The patina is of a rich honey colour.Provenance: Private New Zealand Collection. width 18 cm D16.1 cm.