Breastplate (civavonovono)
- Artist Culture
- Fijian artist
- Date
- c.1840–50
- from
- Tailevu province, Polynesia, Fiji, Oceania
- Classification
- Arms & armor, bone & shell
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 108
- Dimensions
- diameter: 9 1/16 in. (23 cm)
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 1557:1983
NOTES
To create this breastplate, an artist skillfully worked two precious and rare marine materials—ivory and pearl shell—into a striking composition. The pearl shell at center was polished repeatedly to reveal and enhance its sheen. Pieces of carefully carved and polished ivory from the sperm whale frame the pearl shell. The construction is so refined that the threads of coconut fiber joining these parts are barely noticeable.
This technique of assemblage was practiced by Tongan artisans installed in Fiji. These individuals were experts in the fabrication of grand double-hull canoes as well as ivory prestige objects. The earliest documentation of this type of civavonovono dates to the first decades of the 19th century. Worn by Fijian chiefs of high rank, they were passed down from generation to generation.
This technique of assemblage was practiced by Tongan artisans installed in Fiji. These individuals were experts in the fabrication of grand double-hull canoes as well as ivory prestige objects. The earliest documentation of this type of civavonovono dates to the first decades of the 19th century. Worn by Fijian chiefs of high rank, they were passed down from generation to generation.
Provenance
- 1929
W. A. Miller of Suva, Fiji, and Rugby, England
1929 - 1979
James Thomas Hooper (1897-1971), England, purchased from W. A. Miller; Estate of James Thomas Hooper [1]
1979/06/19
In auction “Melanesian and Polynesian Art from the James Hooper Collection,” Christie, Manson and Woods, London, June 19, 1979, lot no. 122 [2]
- 1981
HRN Primitives (Ronnie Nasser), New York, NY, USA
1981 - 1983
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA, acquired from HRN Primitives, by exchange [3]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, bequest of Morton D. May [4]
Notes:
[1] This object was No. 843 in the Hooper Collection [Phelps, Steven. Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas: The James Hooper Collection. London: Hutchinson and Company, 1976]. The corresponding description identified that Hooper acquired this object from W. A. Miller of Suva, Fiji and Rugby, England in 1929. It was included in the 1979 auction of the Hooper Collection [“Melanesian and Polynesian Art from the James Hooper Collection,” Christie, Manson and Woods, London, June 19, 1979, lot no. 122]. In an email dated February 22, 2012 from Steven Hooper to Amy Clark of the Saint Louis Art Museum, Hooper stated “after my grandfather died in 1971 the entire collection belonged to his estate, “The Estate of James Thomas Hooper,” until items were sold at the series of auctions.” [copy of email in SLAM document files]. According to the price list supplied by Christie’s, this object was sold to an unknown buyer.
[2] See Note [1].
[3] An invoice dated January 8, 1981 from HRN Primitives to Morton D. May documents May’s acquisition of this object, listed as “Breastplate, early 19th century Polynesia, Fiji / mosaic of pearl shell and whale ivory; with sennit cord.” May traded two German paintings for 1557:1983, a canoe prow [1558:1983], and a coconut grater [1559:1983] [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[4] Last Will and Testament of M. D. May dated June 11, 1982 [copy, May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, September 20, 1983.
W. A. Miller of Suva, Fiji, and Rugby, England
1929 - 1979
James Thomas Hooper (1897-1971), England, purchased from W. A. Miller; Estate of James Thomas Hooper [1]
1979/06/19
In auction “Melanesian and Polynesian Art from the James Hooper Collection,” Christie, Manson and Woods, London, June 19, 1979, lot no. 122 [2]
- 1981
HRN Primitives (Ronnie Nasser), New York, NY, USA
1981 - 1983
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA, acquired from HRN Primitives, by exchange [3]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, bequest of Morton D. May [4]
Notes:
[1] This object was No. 843 in the Hooper Collection [Phelps, Steven. Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas: The James Hooper Collection. London: Hutchinson and Company, 1976]. The corresponding description identified that Hooper acquired this object from W. A. Miller of Suva, Fiji and Rugby, England in 1929. It was included in the 1979 auction of the Hooper Collection [“Melanesian and Polynesian Art from the James Hooper Collection,” Christie, Manson and Woods, London, June 19, 1979, lot no. 122]. In an email dated February 22, 2012 from Steven Hooper to Amy Clark of the Saint Louis Art Museum, Hooper stated “after my grandfather died in 1971 the entire collection belonged to his estate, “The Estate of James Thomas Hooper,” until items were sold at the series of auctions.” [copy of email in SLAM document files]. According to the price list supplied by Christie’s, this object was sold to an unknown buyer.
[2] See Note [1].
[3] An invoice dated January 8, 1981 from HRN Primitives to Morton D. May documents May’s acquisition of this object, listed as “Breastplate, early 19th century Polynesia, Fiji / mosaic of pearl shell and whale ivory; with sennit cord.” May traded two German paintings for 1557:1983, a canoe prow [1558:1983], and a coconut grater [1559:1983] [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[4] Last Will and Testament of M. D. May dated June 11, 1982 [copy, May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, September 20, 1983.