Whales Tooth scrimshaw
Country
Fiji
See full details
Object detail
Description
Thick plainted fibre rop attached to tooth at both ends through steel eyelets at each end of the tooth. Yellowed ivory with dark central cavity. Incised with the word AIMEKI (or AVMEKI).
Classification
CIVIC MEMENTOES Presentations
Production place
Measurements
L170 x W65 x H40
Media/Materials description
Indeterminate (Cordage) Plaited fibre rope
Steel (Metals - Ferrous)
Ivory (Animal/Human Remains)
Steel (Metals - Ferrous)
Ivory (Animal/Human Remains)
History and use
Queensland-born Charles Kingsford Smith was a poineering aviator who earned global fame in 1928 when he made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flights between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States.
This scrimshaw is part of a large personal collection gifted to the Queensland Museum in 1975 by the aviator's widow, Mary Tully. Since the collection includes numerous presentation items, it's possible that this scrimshaw may have also been presented by an appreciative Pacific - or Tasman Sea – community. Kingsford Smith landed in both Fiji and New Zealand where MEKI is used as a name by both Polynesians and Maori.
This scrimshaw is part of a large personal collection gifted to the Queensland Museum in 1975 by the aviator's widow, Mary Tully. Since the collection includes numerous presentation items, it's possible that this scrimshaw may have also been presented by an appreciative Pacific - or Tasman Sea – community. Kingsford Smith landed in both Fiji and New Zealand where MEKI is used as a name by both Polynesians and Maori.
Associated person
Registration number
H10899
Share
Country
