Niho Rei Paraoa (sperm whale tooth pendant)

This rei puta (tusk/ivory neck pendant) is made from sperm whale ivory. It has large black eyes and a nose engraved onto the distral tip, forming a face. Four suspension holes have been drilled along the basal edge. It is predominantly off-white in colour with yellow patina.

Prestigious and rareRei puta are a prestigious form of personal adornment throughout the Pacific. Because sperm whales were not actively hunted in traditional Mäori society, whale ivory and bone were sourced from beached whales. For this reason rei puta made from whale ivory remain relatively rare and are under-represented in museum collections in New Zealand and around the world.