Canoe ornament

Description

Canoe prow ornament ('au'au/pihao) of wood carved in the form of a seated human figure with the right hand raised to the chin, carved as separate prow piece to be secured to the bow of a canoe, the figure was believed to bring good luck to the sailors: Oceania, Fench Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, 19th century

Museum reference

A.1895.367

Collection

Oceania

Object name

Canoe ornament

Production information

Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, Polynesia

Date

19th century

Style / Culture

Pacific Peoples

Materials

Wood

Physical description

Carved wood

Associations

Darsie Collection

References

Kjellgren, Eric and Carol Ivory. 2005. Adorning the World. Art of the Marquesas Islands. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.