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Ivi po'o Ornament

Location

FRENCH POLYNESIA, MARQUESAS ISLANDS

Culture

Te ‘Enana

Title

Ivi po'o Ornament

Date

Before 1955

Materials

Bone

Dimensions

6.3 x 4 x 4.8 cm

Credits

Gift of F. Cleveland Morgan, inv. 1955.Pc.9a

Collection

Archeology and World Cultures

This small cylinder depicts a powerful ancestor (tiki). It was carved from a fragment of human bone, either from a slain enemy, kept as a trophy, or from a deceased relative, for commemorative purposes. This type of amulet was often fastened to drums, conchs, or the hair of warriors. F. Cleveland Morgan’s notes suggest that it might have decorated a cord used to close a bag.

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