Venerated Bonito totem, of significant size offering orthodox…
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Venerated Bonito totem, of significant size offering orthodox triangulated Mother of pearl incised scales to celebrate the luminous nature of this important food source and spiritual totem. Overall form is sleek and well balanced reflecting the carverECOs close association with the Bonito. Tail section is also reliefed in realistic manner. C1900. Formally in the collection of Mr Dalrymple. Star harbour, San Cristobal, Solomon Islands. Length 111 cm. Width 41 cm. Height 56 cm
incised. A record of a name, date or inscription, or a decoration scratched into a surface, usually of a glass or ceramic item with a blunt instrument to make a coarse indentation. Compare with engraving where the surface is cut with a sharp instrument such as a metal needle or rotating tool to achieve a fine indentation.
mother-of-pearl. Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewelry, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments. In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.
Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.
The buyers premium is an additional percentage charge on the hammer price of the item, imposed by the auction house to cover administrative costs. The buyers premium percentage varies between auction houses, with a range of 12.5% to 22%.
