RARE & BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE TOKELAU ISLAND  SHELL INLAID FISHHOOK/ TACKLE BOX

Origin:  Micronesia, Tokelau Island  (Provenance: Collection of Saul Stanoff, Los Angeles CA, Purchased  in 1984-85 at Christies South Kensington Tribal Art Sale)

Description:   This very fine lidded tackle box "Tourouma" at least dates to the beginning of the 20th century and could be older.  It is skillfully embellished with twenty two pieces of hand cut pearl shell in  varied diamond shapes (parallelograms).  The inlay is extremely well done and indicative of old world craftsmanship.  The box would have housed handmade fishhooks of shell and bone or other small articles when on a canoe journey.   A braided sennit cord would have been strung through the side lugs and top handle.  In excellent condition.  A small yet "stellar" piece, which characterizes "Saul Stanoff" and his aesthetic.

Dimensions:   Height 3.25" (8 cm)  Width 4.25" (10.5 cm)  Depth 3.5 (9 cm)

Price:  $7500     Currency Conversion    FREE SHIPPING With (Buy Now) Feature!