Rei Puta #1
NZ$300.00
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Rei Puta were traditional symbols of leadership and status made from sperm whale or paraoa teeth.
SIZE: 85mm x 35mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
About this piece
The largest toothed predator in the oceans, objects made from paraoa teeth and bone were of a very high status and these objects were often given significant names as a direct consequence. Due to the rarity of paraoa material, often the form of ivory and bone items were imitated in other materials such as wood, shell, stone etc. This Rei Puta is in the form of a niho or tooth and is made from cow bone and is decorated with unaunahi and waewae tupuna patterns.
