Rei Puta #4
NZ$0.00
Rei Puta were traditional symbols of leadership and status made from sperm whale or paraoa teeth.
RINGATOI/ARTIST: Bernard Makoare
HAPŪ: Te Uri o Hau, Ngāti Whātua, Te Waiariki, Te Kai Tutae, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi
SIZE: 90mm x 40mm x 15mm
RAUEMI/MATERIALS: Whale Bone
About this piece
The largest tooth predator in the oceans objects made from paraoa teeth and bone were of a very high status and these object 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 made from whale bone and is decorated with waewae tupuna patterns.
