Tattoo Mahogany Concert Ukulele

This traditional concert uke takes its design from traditional Hawaiian body ornamentation. The designs were monochromatic, tattooed in black against brown skin. The patterns and layout were strongly geometric and there were many shapes and symbols, which represented the natural island world: stones, waves, fish, sharks, turtles, rain, sun, birds. This design is based on a Hawaiian turtle (honu), a symbol of longevity and endurance rendered in a Polynesian tattoo style. The fret markers are stylized sharks teeth.