figure;
religious/ritual equipment
- Museum number
- Oc,LMS.170
- Description
-
An anthropomorphic image composed of hanks of coir bound with feathers from a variety of bird species. At the back are thick cords of hair and further long panels of palm spathe fixed with feathers.
- Production date
- 18thC(late)-19thC(early)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 57 centimetres
-
Width: 21.50 centimetres
-
Depth: 10.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
Hooper 2006
An anthropomorphic image composed of hanks of coir bound with feathers from a variety of bird species. At the back are thick cords of hair and further long panels of palm spathe fixed with feathers. An old label attributes it tentatively to Atiu. Nothing is known of its identity or function in indigenous religion, but its materials are a testament to the importance and value of coir, feathers, hair and barkcloth in constructing images of divinity. Anderson, during Cook's third voyage visit to Atiu in 1777, remarked on the red feathers worn by chiefs and women dancers (Beaglehole, J.C. (eds), 1967, 'The journals of Captain James Cook on his voyages of discovery', 4 vols in 5. Cambridge University Press, published for the Hakluyt Society: 840).
-
See Buck, Arts and Crafts of the Cook Islands', pp.348-349 where it is attributed to Atiu.
-
Images include 35mm photos taken by Ben Burt in 1968 before and after conservation.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2006 21 May-13 Aug, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Pacific Encounters
2006-2007 28 Sept-7 Jan, London, BM, Power and Taboo
2008 16 Jun-14 Sep, Paris, Musée du quai Branly, Pacific Encounters
- Acquisition date
- 1911
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Oc,LMS.170
- Additional IDs
-
CDMS number: Oc1911C27.170 (old CDMS no.)
-
Miscellaneous number: Oc1890,Loan (originally loaned to BM in 1890 by LMS)
