Massive 19th C. Marquesas Island Wood Tiki Figure

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Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Apr 25, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-04-25 10:00:00 2019-04-25 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/pre-columbian-tribal-ethnographic-4035
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• Lot Description
  Oceania, Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia), ca. 19th century CE. A massive wooden tiki figure, depicting a stylized ancestor figure standing atop a disembodied head, all carved in bas relief on one side of a tall, round post. The other side is smooth. The eyes of the ancestor are at standing height and draw in the viewer, outlined by arched brows, with large nostrils below reminiscent of a frog's. Above the head is a line of simple geometric carvings like a headdress or possibly elaborate coiffure. The mouth is a wide, horizontal line, full of teeth and with thin lips. The body below that is zoomorphic, with hands clasped at the center and the legs bent into a crouch. Below the feet is another head of similar form to the upper one, but with a simple, linear headdress/coiffure. Size: 9.5" W x 66.75" H (24.1 cm x 169.5 cm); 68" H (172.7 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  Tiki figures originated in the Marquesas, and spread throughout most of Polynesia, often with local twists (for example, the moai of Easter Island are believed to be a form of tiki). They represent the ancestor Ti'i who is half human, half god and represents the first man. He is often shown with his hands on his stomach and his legs crouched, as here. His head is large to emphasize his power; his big eyes represent his great knowledge. Most tiki figures are carved from volcanic stone; wood examples are rarer, especially one this large. The island of Ua Huka is particularly famous for wooden carvings, most of which are made from miro (Oceania rosewood), tou (Oceania walnut), aito (iron wood), and the coconut tree. Tiki statues like this one were placed outside of houses, made to protect the inhabitants. In the southern Marquesas and Ua Huka (which is geographically closer to the north but culturally similar to the south), the term me'ae was used to describe a sacred place; these were often located just outside of villages and surrounded by palisades, with a house with protective, lifesize wooden tiki located in the center. These buildings served as shrines for the village. A tiki like this one may have protected such a place in the past.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-old Hawaii, 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.
  
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  #143592

  Condition

  Small losses from base and top, with other light surface wear commensurate with age including small chips, nicks, and scratches. The wood has dried and developed thin cracks along many of its grains, but none of these is threatening the integrity of the piece. Small areas, mainly on the uncarved back, of old paint. Rich, dark patina on surface with excellent preserved details.
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