New Zealand Maori Green Stone Tiki
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Description
Maori, New Zealand, ca. 1st quarter of the 20th century CE. This is a well-carved deep green nephrite hei tiki, a carved Maori pendant depicting a human figure. The figure is genderless; hei tiki are either female or without visible signs of gender. It has three-fingered hands that rest atop the stomach and knee, and feet that are joined together as if crossed; the head is tilted to the right. Originally, it was made to be a pendant on a necklace. In Polynesian culture including the Maori, the word "tiki" means carved human figure, possibly originating from the myth of Tiki, the first man. Tiki are common through Polynesia, but the hei tiki is uniquely Maori. The shape, replicated for nearly all hei tiki, is probably because these are made from adze blades. Examples of half-carved hei tiki/adzes have been found, and sometimes on completed tiki a portion of the original cutting surface remains. The nephrite stone was carved into prestige goods in pre-European New Zealand and the Maori name for the South Island, Ti Wai Pounamu, refers to the stone because it is sourced from there. Since contact with Europeans, the hei tiki have become symbols of the Maori people and by extension of New Zealand -- Air New Zealand passengers in the 1960s and 1970s received small green plastic replicas, and photos from the Beatles 1964 tour of the country show them wearing them around their necks. Similar pieces are in the British Museum and Te Papa Tongarewa (the Museum of New Zealand). Size: 4"L x 2-3/4"W x 1/2"H (10.2 cm x 7 cm x 1.3 cm).
Provenance: Ex-Private Santa Fe, NM 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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#117190
Provenance: Ex-Private Santa Fe, NM 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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#117190
Condition
Slight signs of wear, with clear design
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
New Zealand Maori Green Stone Tiki
Estimate $2,000 - $3,000
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
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