A basket-hook or ililili. The central section is a rare stylized representation of the celebrated itagaga, the gigantic, horned mast-head of the tongiaka, the great ocean-going, double-hulled canoe.

Fiji Islands, Polynesia. Iron-wood,vesi (Intsia bijuga), with a thick crusty patina. 35.5 x 12.1 x 7.2 cm.

XVIII/XIXth century.

Formerly in the collection of Captain W. Campbell Thomson (1851-1934). Bears the Captain Thomson inventory N¼ 1, collected in Fiji before the end of the 19th century, possibly an item given to Thomson by the great Chief Cakobau as most of the fijian material in the collection is described by Thomson as gifts from Cakobau. Sold at the Thomson Collection Sale at auction by Pickles & Co., Sydney Australia, 5th & 6th September 1986, lot number 87, illustrated page 31 of the sale catalogue. Originally purchased from Alain Schoffel. Ex Coll.: Bruno Gay, Paris.