Fork Item Number: C562 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A dark brown wood fork that has four rounded curved prongs. The rounded handle has a geometric design consisting of the following from the upper end to the lower end: a horizontal band of diagonal grooves, a rounded horizontal band, a wide horizontal double-sided toothed band, and a scalloped edging design
History Of Use
According to Burnett, these forks were only used at cannibal feasts, along with special plates (see C498-99). "All other food was eaten with the fingers, but as the touching of a dead body rendered a person tabu for a time, the necessity for a fork arose."
Item History
- Made in Viti Levu, Fiji before 1927
- Collected between 1895 and 1927
- Owned by Frank Burnett before 1927
- Received from Frank Burnett (Donor) on July 25, 1927
What
Who
- Culture
- Fijian
- Previous Owner
- Frank Burnett
- Received from
- Frank Burnett (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Viti Levu, Fiji
When
- Creation Date
- before 1927
- Collection Date
- between 1895 and 1927
- Ownership Date
- before 1927
- Acquisition Date
- on July 25, 1927
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 55
- Accession Number
- 2191/0915