Ear Ornament

Item number 3254/12 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Ear ornament (taiana) made from boar tusk. The ornament consists of a carved spur adorned with two small human figures (tiki) - one on the end of the spur, and the other on the side of the spur. There is a small hole drilled through the spur.

Narrative

The collector had sewn six ear ornaments (3254/7-12) onto a card. 3254/9-12 had the following inscription below them: Taiana, or ear ornaments. The head is made of the shell of a certain fish, the carved front of the tusk of the boar. / These are worn in a hole made through the lobe... from the Marquesas.