Carved Whale Bone Heru (comb) by Alex Sands

Heru (comb) by Alex Sands

Note: This taonga is genuine whale bone and therefore cannot be sent out of New Zealand 

About the Heru:

Heru were traditionally produced in varying shapes and sizes and were made from wood, and in some instance’s bone. These combs were highly valued as a personal heirloom and were handed down from one generation to the next.  The combs were mostly decorative and held the pūtikitiki (top knot) in place. When a comb was broken, it was placed in a swamp or a sacred place for safe keeping because the head is the most sacred part of the body and therefore tapu (sacred). 

Measurements: 27.5cm x 7cm x 0.5cm 

The stand is not included