拍品 28
28
A RARE MARQUESAS ISLANDS STAFF, with four addorsed figures above a plain pierced section, a slat below with carved stylized faces and geometrics, one side of the quadrangular shaft with inscription UAMAAHOAKOH, plain finial probably to be decorated with feathers

細節
A RARE MARQUESAS ISLANDS STAFF, with four addorsed figures above a plain pierced section, a slat below with carved stylized faces and geometrics, one side of the quadrangular shaft with inscription UAMAAHOAKOH, plain finial probably to be decorated with feathers
94cm. long
來源
John Charles Bell, a missionary in the Pacific in 1870

拍品專文

The "K" of the inscription is written backwards, as is often found in inscriptions from this area, and probably refers to the invocation HO A'O HA'AMAU, which can be loosely interpreted as Go forth to preach with strength. The missionaries during the second half of the nineteenth century forbade the tattooing of designs but not of letters, which encouraged the indigenous people to use them, albeit confusedly. The staff is was acquired by the present owner from the descendants of J.C. Bell.