Oceania, New Zealand, Maori culture, ca. late 19th century to early 20th century CE. This is a fine hand carved portrait style bust of a Maori warrior or chieftain. The man is portrayed with an ornate moko tattoo across his face and neck, and one ear has an earring, perhaps to represent a prestigious stone ear ornament known as a kuru. The incised linear and scrolling markings are sharp and well defined, the facial expression is intense and stern - the eyes have drilled pupils that may have been inlaid with nacre or stones. Stylized faces of spirit guardians and more naturalist portraits of chieftains were often placed on building roofs, near entrances, or on poles to mark clan borders known as "rahui." Size: 2" W x 4.75" H (5.1 cm x 12.1 cm); 6.75" H (17.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#166442
Condition
Minor surface abrasions and pressure fissures, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout. Mounted on custom acrylic stand.