Takaii tiki and Te Tovae E Noho tiki, Iipona

Takaii and Te Tovae E Noho Tikis, stone carved tikis in keetu or red volcanic tuff, with Takaii (left), a warrior leader renowned for his strength, 2.67m tall, the largest tiki in French Polynesia, representing strength, power and beauty, and Te Tovae E Noho (right) which has a missing head and damaged torso, thought to be a leader or warrior, sometimes called Maiauto, at the Iipona archaeological site, near the village of Puamau, on the island of Hiva Oa, in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Tiki sculptures are usually carved in wood or stone and represent Ti'i, a half-human half-god ancestor who is believed to be the first man. Tiki often have a huge head, symbolising power, and big eyes symbolising knowledge. Tiki are respected and are often placed outside houses as protective statues. The Iipona site was a religious sanctuary or meae, built by the pre-European Marquesian civilisation, arranged over 2 large terraces with 5 monumental tikis. Picture by Manuel Cohen

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom and United States Of America

Ancestor Collectivite Collectivity Doutre-mer Francaise Hiva Hiva-oa Iipona Keetu Marquesan Marquesas Marquesian Marquises Meae Oceania Polynesia Polynesie Pre-european Puamau Republique Sanctuary Takaii Tiki Tuff Volcanic

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > COH