Helu (head comb)

About this item

Title

Helu (head comb)

Content partner

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Collection

Te Papa Collections Online

Description

This helu, an ornamental comb from Tonga (left), consists of 20 segments of dried coconut-leaf midrib, bound together by a decorative lashing of fine coconut fibre and possibly horse hair. Usage Such combs would be worn projecting upright at the back of the head or as beard ornaments, with the decorative handle left protruding. Distinguished chiefs wore combs decorated with fine designs and feathers; they had attendants whose sole responsibility was to look after their hair. Acquisition hist...

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Format

Image

Date created

1700s

URL

https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/148266

Related subjects

palm leaf / husk (plant material) / natural fibre / horsehair / combs / Tonga / Polynesian / Oceanic / Tongan / Captain James Cook

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Creative Commons

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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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