Description

Headdress (pa'e kea or pa'e kaha) consisting of a woven band of coconut husk fibre adorned with small circular pieces of shiny shell, mostly layered in pairs, and topped with a small asterisk design of turtle shell. The woven band tapers on each side, ending in loops, through which plaited coconut husk fibre is attached on both sides for tying. Both tapered end is topped with triangular pieces of shiny shell and a cut-out design in turtle shell. Attached are alternating plaques of carved turtle shell and white shell adorned with human images (tiki) and geometric designs in low relief. The shells are pierced and strung together.