SALVAGE PUBLIC

This pendant is inspired by the lei niho palaoa, which was worn by high-ranking aliʻi from Hawaiʻi Island. The lei featured an ivory pendant carved from whale’s tooth into a tongue-like shape.

This unique shape has been interpreted in a couple of different ways. It’s been said that the tongue communicated the wearer’s authority and underscored the power of the spoken word in ancient Hawaiʻi.

It’s also been said that the pendant symbolized a protruding tongue, which culturally, was regarded as a flex of sorts, a show of the wearer’s fearlessness and defiance.

SS26 Delivery 1 - Now Available in store and online.