Tiki statue, Museum of Tahiti and the Islands

Wooden tiki statue, 229cm tall, the largest tiki from the Marquesas Islands, from Marae Muutea in the Atuona valley on Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, in the Musee de Tahiti et des Iles, or Te Fare Manaha, at Punaauia, on the island of Tahiti, in the Windward Islands, Society Islands, French Polynesia. The tiki is carved from temanu wood, reserved for use by chiefs. It is thought to represent a patriarchal ancestor, with the head at the widest part, spirals in the ears and decorative patterns over the whole body, perhaps representing wraps around the deceased. The Museum of Tahiti and the Islands was opened in 1974 and displays collections of nature and anthropology, habitations and artefacts, social and religious life and the history of French Polynesia. Picture by Manuel Cohen

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

Ancestor Archipel Atuona Collectivite Collectivity Doutre-mer Fare Francaise Guardian Hiva Iles Manaha Marae Marquesas Oceania Polynesia Polynesian Polynesie Punaauia Republique Societe Tahiti Tahitian Tiki Totaiete Vent Windward

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > COH