Lot 0266

Rare 18th C. Samoan Wood Tattoo 'Au Tool w/ Boar Tooth

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Rare 18th C. Samoan Wood Tattoo 'Au Tool w/ Boar Tooth

Item Details

Description

Oceania, Polynesia, Samoan or Hawaiian Islands, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A fascinating tool used for tattooing called an 'au, comprised of wood and a boar tooth comb. Most 'au, such as this example, are made up of three components, a serrated comb, plate the comb attaches to, and a slender handle which together looks like a miniature rake. All is held together with sennit coconut fibers. Receiving a tatatau (tattoo) is a traditional milestone in Polynesian culture and marks the rite of passage into adulthood for men and women. The art of tattooing was a scared and ceremonial practice that only specially trained master "tufuga ta tatau" could perform, and they were elite members with prestige and wealth. Size: 8.5" L x 3" W (21.6 cm x 7.6 cm)

Several tools were used in the tattooing process: the 'au was the main component that perforated the skin, and a separate mallet would drive the boar tooth comb into the skin. The designs were then raked and while depositing the ink. The 'au tools could be different lengths and widths to create stippling, lines or to fill in large areas. The pigment was derived from candlenut soot. These tools are rare and mainly only seen in museums.

For a similar example please see the Museum of New Zealand, registration number: FE003720/1.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 1995 to 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167388

Condition

Losses to teeth of comb as shown. Losses and abrasion to tip of handle. Pigment and ink accumulation on the tines and head. Rare implement!

Buyer's Premium

26.5%

Rare 18th C. Samoan Wood Tattoo 'Au Tool w/ Boar Tooth

Name: Rare 18th C. Samoan Wood Tattoo 'Au Tool w/ Boar Tooth
SKU: 112988154
Price: 4000 USD
Availability: InStock

Estimate $8,000 - $12,000

See Sold Price

Starting Price $4,000

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