"It is impossible to come into contact with native American spirituality and not be struck with the immensity of the gratitude expressed." Anne Wilson Schaef
Our Lei Niho Palaoa is one of the most sought after of Hawaiian wearable Talismans. (We have only one available.)
Lei Niho Palaoa were the prized symnbols of chiefly rank. They were carved from Sperm Whale teeth and could be worn only by high chiefs who, because of their high position, could lay claim to Sperm Whales cast ashore by the sea.
Hawaiians believed that their entire material and social universe had evolved, over hundreds of generations, from a common creative force. In the beginning of time, the darkness gave birth, and from this dark genesis came forth, era by era, the light, life in the sea, life on the land, the gods and finally humans. Gods were the offspring of natural forces; humans were the offspring of gods. Those humans descended most directly from the gods were aristocrats (the ali'i); those descended indirectly were commoners and outcasts.
Such possessions of the Ali'i were considered sacred. Lei Niho Palaoa (Lei means 'necklace,' and Niho Palaoa means 'Sperm Whale.") were worn on ceremonial occasions by both royal men and women, and in battle by men. (The necklace (lei) consisted of loops of 8-strand square braids of human hair.) Lei Niho Palaoa were seen as embodying part of the essence and power (mana) of a man: when a leader was killed in battle, it was important for his enemies to take possession of his Lei Niho Palaoa as well as his body in order to vanquish his spirit completely.
Our Lei Niho Palaoa is real and authentic - carved in three dimensions only from Sperm Whale Ivory registered with the Department of Commerce. It is fully carved 1 1/2 inches high, 3/8 inch wide and 1 1/4 inch from front to back. Comes with leather neck thong.
Of course, hand carved in our studio.
Only one available.
T100-LEINIHOPALAOA$700.00
All items chosen with Registered Sperm Whale Ivory will come with a Registration Certificate containing the Department of Commerce registration number. [Sperm Whale Ivory Shipped only to addresses in Maryland]
We stand ready to scrimshaw anything you would like on any of our pieces - animals, ship's and family portraits, landscapes, nautical scenes, hunting scenes, etc. We do many special order commission pieces from blazer buttons, knitting needles (knitters take note!), fountain pens, corkscrews, pistol grips, ball point pens and mechanical pencils, desk accessories, Fossil Ivory ship models, ship half hulls, Nantucket and Lightship Baskets, to custom whole Sperm Whale Teeth or whole Walrus Tusks. We also handcraft fossil ivory sailing/nautical trophies to order. We can personalize any piece with a scrimshawed name and initials at no extra charge. (Email us with any queries. Just email us at studio@ancientivories.com and let us know your special order needs!
Have a question? Just call us toll free at 1-866-468-0728.
The available colors of our high quality Fossilized Ivories are shown below. (Please allow for some color variation in these natural materials.) Our wonderful Ivories have been reclaimed from the ground after sharing the earth for up to 30 millennia! Even after all this time, Fossil Ivory remains warm and sensuous organic ivory; it is not petrified. It has developed its beautiful colors by taking up minerals from the earth and these colors are impossible to match in any contemporary ivories by modern processes. In time, the Fossil Ivories you wear or use will take on very personal hues from your contact. They will become a part of you.
These are our scrimshaw Design Etchings. In addition to these designs, as an added option, you may send us a picture of your choice for a commission price quote.
Looking for thoughtful and interesting gifts?
Know someone who absolutely loves his boat? Let us hand etch it's portrait, along with name and hull number - and the name of the captain - on one of our knives, pendants, money clips, or any of our other pieces!
Ancient Ivories Studios handcrafted items make sensational and warmly personalized gifts that will be treasured and enjoyed.
Have questions or special order needs? Just email us at studio@ancientivories.com or call us toll free at 1-866-468-0728.
Please bookmark our site. We add new designs and items periodically.
None of our Ivory is contemporary, and not a single animal has been killed, culled, or otherwise harmed to produce our Fossil Ivories. It is the only perfect, ecologically sound, humane way to own and wear warm, wonderful and enduring ivory.
We Use No Elephant Ivory, Nor Contemporary Ivories of Any Kind.
Every piece of Sperm Whale Ivory we sell, is registered with the Department of Commerce, and comes with a Department of Commerce registration number.[Our license does not allow us to ship Sperm Whale Ivory outside of Maryland.]
We have many more fine knives in our studio that are not on our website. Email us for availability of your favorite knife with Fossil Ivory handles! (We also replace scales on treasured old knives.)
LEARN ABOUT ANCIENT IVORIES STUDIOS AND OUR GALLERY CRAFT SHOW OUTLETS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK AT RIGHT
FOR A MAP OF OUR SITE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK AT RIGHT.
We offer the best prices on the web and outstanding value - check us out!
Have a question? Just call us toll free at 1-866-468-0728.
Most of our pieces are unique treasures created especially for the prospective wearer. Want to help us design your scrimshaw piece? Whether it's a fossil ivory Amulet or Talisman, Scrimshaw jewelry, personalized scrimshaw knives, Fossil Ivory Wedding or Commitment Band, Pendants, Brooches, scrimshaw sailor's Knife, Sterling Silver and scrimshaw Box, Scrimshaw Sperm Whale's Tooth, or Sterling Silver and Ivory scrimshaw Spoons and Tableware, just email us and we will work with you for a very personal piece you'll love to use or wear!
