head-ornament
- Museum number
- Oc1887,1217.21
- Description
-
Head ornament (pale fuiono) made of palm leaf (?), nautilus shells, blue cotton cloth, thread.
- Production date
- 19thC (before 1887)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 40 centimetres
-
Width: 14 centimetres
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Depth: 2 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
See Notebook 11 (Departmental Registers - related documentation).
Register slip comment:
'No. 10. Headdress made of the inside of the nautilus shell & used in dancing in the time of war. This one is very old and much valued'.
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For more information see: Neich, R. and Pereira, F., 2004. Pacific Jewelry and Adornment, New Zealand: Dave Bateman Ltd.
This is known as a pale fuiono, and is part of the tuiga which is a composite ceremonial headdress. Nautilus shell was imported from Tonga and was rare and highly valued. Historically only appointed ceremonial village maidens (taupou) and Chiefs' sons (manaia) could wear the tuiga during important occasions.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1887
- Acquisition notes
- From the Colonial and Indian Exhibition 1887.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Oc1887,1217.21