Symbol of Rank

A favoured symbol of rank and chieftainship among Māori was the shark tooth earring. This example is a replica tooth that has been made from pounamu or nephrite. Stone grind marks suggest that it was made using pre-European lapidary techniques. Māori used shark teeth in necklaces and earrings and the teeth of some species were fitted on to a wooden handle to create serrated knives. Sharks were a favoured seasonal food and were caught using either nets or lines in large numbers, with honours going to the hunters who could collect the most in a season. The flesh was then hung and dried in the sun on large frames. This allowed the meat to last a long time without spoiling, resulting in it becoming an important food source and a type of currency.