putona (war trumpet)

Shell trumpets (known in the Marquesas as putona) are used throughout Polynesia and in Fiji, mainly for signalling and summoning people together. Charonia tritonis, the shell from which this trumpet has been made, is preferred, although other shells are sometimes used. Shell trumpets may be blown from a hole at the end or on the side.

Decoration

This Marquesan putona was blown from the side. The shell is old, and has been worn smooth by much handling. Extremely fine plaited cords of coconut fibre provide lashings and a carrying strap. Tufts of human hair are drawn together in a carved bone toggle and attached to the lashing. The toggle, carved in the form of a human figure known as a tiki, is characteristic of Marquesan art. In the Marquesas, decorated trumpets such as this were used in times of war.

Shell trumpets in New Zealand

Charonia tritonis shells do not occur naturally in New Zealand. Māori used a smaller species until Europeans brought the large tropical shells to this country as trade items in the nineteenth century. Māori added wooden mouthpieces to the ends of their trumpets.

This putona was purchased as part of the Oldman Collection 1948