Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0147-0077   CAS 0147-0077; Tattooing tool
Category Tools & Implements
Object Name Tattooing tool
Culture Polynesian: Marquesan
Global Region Oceania
Country Marquesas Islands
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture mid to late 1800s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Bamboo; Bone or ivory
Description Tattooing implement consisting of a short bamboo rod and a flat triangular piece of bone or ivory of which one end is carved with very fine and sharp teeth; Proximal end of bone or ivory piece is inserted obliquely into slit in shaft of bamboo rod; For use, the fine-toothed piece would be placed on one's skin and then lightly tapped, making small incision which was then rubbed with pigment.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 5.1, Max Diam = 1.0, Length = 20.6