The ILLEGAL WHALE TOOTH worth it’s weight in GOLD

[@stephanieknuppel7428]

Very interesting object full of history but thank god for the protection of animals law !

[@pauldaviesantiques1556]

Antiques meets cultural history - great stuff, David.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@pauldaviesantiques1556 Cheers Paul

[@williamkuhns2387]

In Samoan Islands they made necklaces of split polished sperm whale teeth. The Samoan name is Ula (necklace) Nifo (tooth). Only title of high chief (Ali'i) and their oldest sons (Manaia) could wear these. The teeth were imported from Tonga's Ha'apai Island group which is along the Tonga's deep water trench on the whales migration route. Whales would get stranded on coral reefs and die. Nowadays these necklaces are made of white plastic and worn during special occasions and for dance regalia. The original whale teeth were scored length wiseband split into long splinters and each was polished and drilled. In Hawaiian islands a single whales tooth was carved into a tongue shape representing rank title of speech orators worn around neck. The necklace itself was fationed from braided human hair.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Wonderful information, thank you. Very much appreciated

[@justcurious4060]

.. i mean .. wow! what a story or history and such a special gift. some scrimshaw are breathtakenly beautiful, i love the history of whaling. keep sharing the knowledge. thank you .. i love it. i would rather own that than a bitcoin. Fiji or poleneisian art of wapon making.. wow scary and very effective. like i said share the knowledge .. keep it coming

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@justcurious4060 Thanks so much…I will! Cheers

[@williamkuhns2387]

Also in Fiji Islands as a sign of status rank the shell of a golden cowrie (Cypraea aurantium) was worn around neck.

[@bobolpatrick3789]

Bonsoir ,ça ressemble aussi à des défenses de phacochère qui elles sont légales !

[@youtubecensors5419]

I wish we could still whale... 🥺

[@grov508]

Ok I'll buy it, what's your best price?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

It’s illegal to sell!

[@grov508]

@@DavidHarperAntiques 🤫😉

[@flyergowest]

👍

[@OriginalNethead]

You couldn't sell the whale tooth here, period. No auction house would touch one, and if Fish and Wildlife caught you you'd be up on charges lickedy-split. There are special laws for the carved ones, but you'd better be ready to jump some serious hoops.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Same here!

[@NobbyClark-g3y]

​@@DavidHarperAntiques I thought antique scrimshaw was permitted pre 1948? The same as ivory tusks?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@NobbyClark-g3y If you watch my video on ivory law I explain the new regulations there

[@Seamus1966]

No Scrimshaw..

[@alexmarques2398]

Do they need that to eat plancton!?!

[@nlbhaduri]

Not filter feeder like Baleen whale but carnivore…hence, teeth.