Pendant

62-1-1

From: New Zealand

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Native Name Hei Tiki
Object Number 62-1-1
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Maori
Provenience New Zealand
Locus Maori
Date Made Early 19th century
Section Oceanian
Materials Greenstone | Gum
Description

Greenstone pendant. Hei tiki. Human figure with oversized head tilted to one side, arms akimbo, legs flexed, feet together. Very fine. Remains of gum in eyes. Back slightly rounded. Original piercing broken and new piercing made just below.

Greenstone pendants ( hei tiki ) were, and are, treasured Maori ornaments. Their value derives from the hours of labor required to carve the hard material and from association with the ancestors through whose hands the carvings have passed, from generation to generation.

Height 9.7 cm
Width 6.6 cm
Depth 0.9 cm
Credit Line Gift of Edward M. James, 1962

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