Tabua, a 19th century Fijian sperm whale tooth, yellowish cream…
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Tabua, a 19th century Fijian sperm whale tooth, yellowish cream patina, with two suspension holes, one at each end,. Length 14 cm approx. Provenance: Estate of John Lawford.

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  • Patination / Patina - In broad terms, patination refers to the exterior surface appearance of the timber, the effect of fading caused by exposure to sunlight and air over the course of a century or more, changing the piece to a soft, mellow colour.

    As patina is very difficult to replicate, it is one of the most important guides to determining the age of furniture.

    Patina is also the term applied to the bloom or film found on old bronzes due to oxidisation.

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