Kuru Kapeu (ear pendant)
Current rights
All Rights Reserved
See full details
Object detail
Description
The pendant is the curved type known as kuru kapeu. The slight curve is a feature of early forms. The suspension hole is hour-glass shape, drilled from both sides, slightly off centre and has soft edges - typical of old holes. The hole is angled and when suspended the curved end points forward to the right. There is a notch in the end, often seen as a broken hole, it actually appears to be deliberate working - this may indicate the use of the pendant as a fishing charm - may be a deliberate 'mouth' to give the pendant the appearance of a fish. The 'Kuru Kapeu' is part of the classic Māori phase and is a prehistoric pendant type. The angled hole is probably technological - may simply be the result of the drilling method rather than a suspension method.
Production place
New Zealand
Measurements
105mm (length), 11mm (width)
Accession number
0063/95
Current rights