figure;
religious/ritual equipment
- Museum number
- Oc1981,Q.1552
- Description
-
God image (to'o), of tapering cylindrical form, made of wood with covering of knotted fabric of coconut fibre (coir/sinnet), decorated with tied-in feathers (tropic bird).
- Dimensions
-
Height: 81 centimetres
-
Width: 11 centimetres
-
Depth: 11 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
Information in British Museum Q register, written in 1981:
3 old labels:
1) 290? L.M.Socy
2) 4
3) 1 (small green label)
Label with 'BUCK, E ?' refers to 'Arts & Crafts of the Cook Islands' (1941) by P.H. Buck, Plate 16, E, where it is called LMS 1.
Small green label number refers to the LMS Catalogue (undated), held at SOAS library, call number CWML S58.
-
Illustrated in Missionary Sketches, No.III, Oct 1818, 'Family Idols of Pomare'. This to'o is illustrated with more feathers, but its form and coconut fibre bindings are a clear match. Listed as Temaharo. '3. TEMAHARO, the principal god of Pomare's family. He is said to be also one of the chief deities of the island of Otaheite. He is said to have a brother called TIA, who is likewise a god. Temeharo is also reported to be the principal deity and protector of the small island Matea.'
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2015 9 July-19 Sept, London, SOAS Brunei Gallery, Missionaries and Idols in Polynesia
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Oc1981,Q.1552
