Fork Item Number: C560 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A dark brown wood fork that has three medium-sized cylindrical prongs. The octagonal handle tapers at both ends and has a toothed and scalloped edging design around the upper and the lower ends.
History Of Use
According to Frank Burnett, this type of fork was called a cannibal fork, 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."
Narrative
Burnett listed this item as coming from Father Palmer's collection. Burnett described Palmer as "one of the earliest R.C. [Roman Catholic] Missionaries to Fiji".
Item History
- Made in Viti Levu, Fiji before 1927
- Collected between 1895 and 1927
- Owned by W. Palmer
- Owned by Frank Burnett before 1927
- Received from Frank Burnett (Donor) on July 25, 1927
What
Who
- Culture
- Fijian
- Previous Owner
- W. Palmer and 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
- poor
- Accession Number
- 2191/0913