House post figure

Description

Carved tattooed male ancestor figure in dark brown wood, forming the base of the support for the ridge pole of a meeting house: Oceania, New Zealand, North Island, Gisborne Region, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Māori, mid 19th century

Museum reference

A.1956.847

Collection

Oceania

Object name

House post figure

Production information

Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne Region, North Island, New Zealand, Polynesia

Date

Mid 19th century

Style / Culture

Māori

Materials

Wood, Wax

Physical description

Dark brown wood and sealing wax

Associations

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Exhibitions

• Gauguin and Polynesia: South Pacific Encounters (14 Aug 2009 - 21 Feb 2010)
  Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
  Seattle Art Museum

• Skin deep: the history of tatooing (22 Feb 2005 - 05 Mar 2006)
  Captain Cook Memorial Museum
  Aberdeen Maritime Museum