ntral pits in the lugs of two of the ornaments (fig. 56, a, b) illustrate an ingenious technique used in boring holes through an ivory object. The Polynesian drill points made funnel-shaped holes and to avoid a large hole of entry as compared with a small hole of exit, objects were drilled from either side until the two holes met in the middle. The thicker the object, the larger the holes on either side. By cutting out a central pit in the top of the lug, the distance to be traversed by the drill point was materially reduced, and two holes were drilled from either side into the central pit. In one of the ornaments (fig. 56, b), the craftsman was content to loop the suspensory braid around the constricted neck; but in the other (fig. 56, a), the holes were drilled and the braid passed through. An identical technique has been observed in the ivory neck ornaments of Mangareva (77, p. 173).
The suspensory element was of fine human hair braid. After being attached to the suspensory lug, the two sides were crossed to form a small page 109loop or circle, and the short overlap was seized together with coir fiber. The remaining ends of the hair braid were then united in a wider loop and reinforced by the addition of two coir fibers. This upper circle was then seized throughout its course with single coir fibers in two colors which were used alternately for a few turns to add color decoration to the suspensory element (fig. 57).
Figure 57.—Technique of suspension element. a, a lightcolored coir fiber (1) has one end (2) bent forward on suspension foundation (3) and makes two complete turns around foundation and over bent forward end. b, forward end (2) is bent back and passed under first half-turn in a half-hitch to fix commencement end. A dark-colored coir fiber (4) is now laid along foundation. c, light fiber now makes three complete turns (5) around foundation, fixes commencement end of dark fiber, and is turned forward along foundation. Dark fiber (4) is brought down over light fiber and makes three complete turns when it is turned forward, and light fiber (1), passing down over it, makes three complete turns. Each color makes three complete turns and thus gives the upper loop of the suspensory element a barred appearance in alternating color. On left of figure, first three crossings are drawn widely spaced to show technique but in actual work, crossings are distinguished only by change in color (6, 7). d, finish resembles commencement, in that end (2) of working fiber is pushed under last two turns and then over them to pass under itself in a half-hitch.
The upper large circle was probably compressed laterally, the end passed well through the ear slit, and the ornament passed through the loop which thus supported it in position.
Necklaces and Breast Ornaments
A line of demarcation between a necklace and, a breast ornament seems somewhat arbitrary as both are hung around the neck. The distinction is one of size, for the smaller ones fit close to the neck whereas the large pearl-shell ornaments hang low on the breast. According to available museum material, Mangaia takes the lead in this form of ornament as well as in ear ornaments.
Flowers and Berries
Figure 58.—Whale ivory and human bone necklace ornaments (Mangaia). a-c, foursided figures: a, length of top, middle, and bottom, 43, 38, 40 mm.; height of left, middle, and right, 20, 13, 18 mm.; greatest thickness, 11 mm.; front surface polished and convex vertically and horizontally; slightly raised flanges at top and bottom borders; two suspensory lugs perforated from side to side. b, back of a: flat without upper and lower border flanges. c, smaller ornament, front view; greatest length, 26 mm.; greatest height, 21 mm. d-g, ivory ball ornaments: d, single ball: total height, 26 mm.; greatest diameter side to side, 22 mm.; thickness, 19 mm.; lug with plain rim, central pit, neck perforated from side to side for suspension cord and also single perforation from front into pit. e, single ball with median cleft on bottom; height, 25 mm.; greatest width, 22 mm.; thickness, 21 mm.;