Necklace, Hawaiian Islands

Necklace
Hawaiian Islands
lei niho palaoa

Length of hook: 4 ¼ in (10.8 cm); Length overall: 14 in (35.6 cm)
Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) tooth

Condition Report:
Very good condition for an object of this age and type, with wear consistent with handling and use. The braided hair is in excellent state of preservation; as always, it is slightly dry. One braid, on the reverse, slightly split, but intact. As visible in the catalogue illustration, the fiber-wrapped hair at the top of the necklace with some old losses, wear, and with a little stabilization using fishing wire. As visible in the catalogue illustration, one small old chip to the front edge of the hook at the proper left center. Very fine aged and nuanced patina.

Provenance:
Morris J. Pinto, Paris
Sotheby's, London, African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art from the Pinto Collection, May 9, 1977, lot 8
Merton D. Simpson, New York, acquired at the above auction
Christie's, London, October 24, 1978, lot 140, consigned by the above
Nelly Van den Abbeele, Brussels, acquired at the above auction
Christie's, Amsterdam, Important Oceanic Art from the Collection of Mrs. Nelly Van den Abbeele, December 6, 1999, lot 558
Abraham Rosman and Paula Rubel, New York