Necklace, Austral Islands

This rare Austral Islands necklace, crafted from finely woven coconut fiber and adorned with polished whale ivory pendants, represents a masterpiece of Pacific Island artistry. Originating from the Austral archipelago (Raivavae, Tubuai, Rurutu, and Rimatara), south of Tahiti, such pieces were not merely ornaments but symbols of high status, spiritual power, and protection. The finely carved crescent-shaped ivory pendants, known as reimiro, recall both the prow of a canoe and the moon, celestial motifs deeply embedded in Polynesian cosmology.

Much like the gold and silver torcs worn by Nordic chieftains and Viking warriors, these necklaces signified rank and lineage. Just as the torcs of Denmark’s Bronze and Viking Ages were bestowed upon the elite as marks of distinction, these Austral Island necklaces were presented to chiefs, warriors, and sacred figures, reinforcing their authority in both life and the afterlife. The labor-intensive nature of their creation—each piece hand-carved from prized whale ivory—mirrors the craftsmanship of Viking-era bone and amber jewelry, which also required extraordinary skill and patience.

Jewelry from the Austral Islands is distinguished by its delicate symmetry, geometric motifs, and refined materials, often integrating ivory, shell, and coconut fiber. The intricate carving techniques, possibly influenced by early contact with European tools, parallel the way Danish artisans adapted Norse motifs into baroque silverwork during the 17th century. The arrival of European explorers, whalers, and missionaries in the 18th and 19th centuries led to increased demand for Austral Island carvings, much as Scandinavian artisans once traded their intricate filigree and rune-carved jewelry with distant lands.

The necklaces’ association with canoe culture and oceanic navigation resonates with Nordic seafaring traditions. Just as the Vikings revered the sea and wore protective amulets shaped like boats or waves, Austral Islanders crafted jewelry that embodied their deep connection to the Pacific Ocean. The whale ivory used in these necklaces was not just a material of beauty but a symbol of prestige, akin to how walrus ivory from Greenland was treasured in medieval Denmark and used for elite objects such as chess pieces, religious artifacts, and ceremonial hilts.

Once primarily held in European ethnographic collections, Austral Islands jewelry—like this Sotheby’s necklace—has experienced a dramatic increase in value and recognition. Much like the reappraisal of Viking hoards and Danish gold bracteates, these Polynesian masterpieces are no longer seen as mere curiosities but as sacred, artistic, and historical treasures. Their rise in auction prices reflects a growing appreciation for Oceanic artistry, much as runestones and Viking-age relics have become prized cultural artifacts in Scandinavian museums and global collections.

This exquisite Austral Islands necklace, steeped in tradition and imbued with the spirit of the Pacific, now finds itself in the company of history’s most revered adornments—whether in the royal halls of Viking-age Denmark or the ceremonial gatherings of Polynesian chiefs.

Please note that I will not be able to assist with any export permits required.