Artifact Number:
01273
Object:
NECKLACE
Lei Pupu, Lei Palaoa
Material:
Ivory (whale), plant (olona)
Dimensions:
Origin:
Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii, Polynesia
Comments:
Shell and Ivory Lei. Lei palaoa with string of palaoa beads bought from Mary. P. Ailau on November 5, 1886 for $8. It was found in a lua huna at Kalapana, Puna, Hawaii. Also it was found in the same cavewhere the bones of Keaniani, an old chief, were found. (Emerson) Strung on original olona cord approximately 58 cm long. It is composed of four fusiform whale-ivory beads with three groups of eleven strands of black glass beads between them. In order, the ivory beads measure (length by maximum diameter): 7.99 by 2.3 cm; 7.98 by 2.41 cm; 7.95 by 2.29 cm; and 8.02 by 2.36 cm. They all have flat ends with round holes, the diameter of one hole being 3.7 mm. The black gladd beads, which are strung on a fine 2-ply olona cord, average 5.4 mm in length by 3.8 mm in diameter. Each group of elevn strands is knotted together at the ends. Looped behind the knot is a heavier 2-ply olona cord whose two ends pass through the ivory bead. The knot at the end of the strands prevents the black beads from entering the opening of the ivory bead. Two large, black, six-faceted glass beads, 5.7 mm long by 6 mm in diameter, are between one ivory bead and where the cord of the lei is tied. Figures 257 and 258. (Summers)
Collection Name: J.S. Emerson Collection
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