The first western travelers to visit New Zealand
marveled at the beautiful pendants called Hei
Tiki, worn by Maori men and women. Hei is the
Maori name for any ornament worn around the
neck, while among most of the Maori, Tiki is the
name of the god of creation. At once powerfully
primitive and strikingly modern, this magnificent
Maori pendant reveals the story of a proud, bold
and highly expressive people. Deftly carved from
whalebone in a flattened openwork form, the
most eye-catching and lively elements of this
pendant are the beautifully scrolled patterns
carved on the figures face and body. These
detailed curvilinear designs represent a kind of
body tattooing called Moko, used by Maori chiefs
as a type of kinship identification, each kin group
within Maori culture having a distinctive set of
patterns, worn only by members of that
particular clan. Clearly then, this spirited image
represents a very powerful figure in Maori
society. A highly expressive face, complete with
wide inlaid abalone shell eyes, adds to the
figures aura of primal, ancestral power. A
combination of delicate beauty and potent
energy makes this pendant one of the most
stunning examples of ancient Maori artistry, to
be treasured as a spirited link with an ancient
culture and as a splendid work of art in and of
itself.
- (PF.2452)
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