A Maori gable figure

TEKOTEKO

Details

A Maori gable figure
Tekoteko
Standing with the right three-fingered hand on the abdomen, the left to the cheek with pierced fingers, the head with engraved lines to forehead and one cheek, two knobs to top of head, notched scrolls on shoulder and forearm, a mask below with projecting tongue, dark patina, (right hand damaged)
23¾in. (60.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

Barrow, (1969, p.70) illustrates a tekoteko in a similar stance which was collected by Capt. James Wilson in the Duff. It is difficult to date exactly much Moari material, but the present figure would appear to be from the 18th century

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