Title devised by cataloguer.

These Tongan kali are a type of headrest made from a single piece of wood with only two legs. Kali were used primarily as pillows. The head was regarded as sacred and should not touch the ground. There are several forms of kali, all of which demonstrate the elegance and economy of form characteristic of Tongan sculpture. These kali were likely to have been used by a Tongan of high status. It is said that headrests of high-ranking people acquire dangerous power and may therefore not be used by those of lesser rank.

The small kali measures along greatest height 11 cm x length 44 cm x width 10 cm. The medium kali measures along greatest height 10 cm x length 50 cm x width 9 cm. The large kali measures along greatest height 14 cm x length 81 cm x width 12 cm.

These wooden kali were carved from a single piece of black wood, probably from the toa tree, Casuarina equisetifolia, with mother-of-pearl inlay. Each kali has two legs at either end, except the largest which has a broken leg. Each has decorative carvings on its edges.

Ko e hingoa 'o e koloa ko 'eni, ko e kali pea 'oku faka'aonga'i ia ki he 'olunga. Na'e ta ia mei he 'akau ko e toa 'i he 'uhinga ko 'ene malohi, fefeka pea toe tolonga foki. Ko hono fotunga 'oku va'e 'e ua ki he tafa'aki kae konga loloa fakafuofua ke lava lelei 'o 'olunga ki ai. Ko e konga ko 'eni 'oku taimi 'e taha 'oku lele hangatonu pe pea taimi 'e taha 'oku ki'i ngaofe 'a loto 'o fakafuofua pe ki he tokoto lelei 'a e 'ulu ki ai.

Dhyne, J.. “Tongan headrests: notes on terminology and function.” Journal of The Polynesian Society, v.108:no.4 (1999).