Woman's ear ornament
Life Story
Small ear ornaments (taiana), often carved with tiny figures, were worn by women in each earlobe with the Conus shell cap facing forwards. This example is for the left ear, and the whale ivory section is pierced vertically near the cap for a peg to hold it firmly in place when being worn (see von den Steinen, 1928: III: BP, BR). The feet of the two figures on the shaft are chipped. Marquesan men and women wore a variety of ornaments made from wood, shell, bone, whale ivory, seeds and feathers and the men were renowned for their full body tattoo.
Steven Hooper, 1997
Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Vol. 2: Pacific, African and Native North American Art, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997) p. 28.
Provenance
Acquired by the Sainsbury Family in 1961. Donated to the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia in 1973 as part of the original gift.
Not on display
Title/Description: Woman's ear ornament
Born: 1800 - 1850
Object Type: Ornament
Materials: Ivory (?), Shell, Wood
Measurements: h. 51 x w. 23 x d. 23 mm
Accession Number: 195
Historic Period: 19th century - Early/Mid
Production Place: Marquesas Islands, Oceania, Pacific
Credit Line: Donated by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, 1973
