A rare Maori tree fern head

Details
A rare Maori tree fern head
Over-life size with oval painted-shell-inlay eyes, tattoed scrolls carved and painted on the face, short hair, on flanged base
15in. (38cm.) high

Lot Essay

We have been unable to find a comparable head carved from tree fern in the literature but it shares many characteristics with those carved from kauri gum in the Maori style by the immigrant workers (apparently mostly of Yugoslav origin) during the second half of the last century and beginning of this one.

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