A Whakairo Rakau, Aotearoa. This whakairo rakau consists of a… - Material Culture Live - Webb's

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Description:

A Whakairo Rakau, Aotearoa. This whakairo rakau consists of a smooth cylindrical body, fine carving and original lashings with carvings reminiscent of a Whakapakoko rakau or god stick. The top is decorated with a carving style known from the Te Arawa people. Moreover, we have the Takarangi (spiral) displayed with the pakati (notches) broken up into groups. This style has been observed on early Te Arawa whare, war canoes and other carvings. To the front of the rakau, a finely carved depiction of an atua (probably Rongo or the atua of cultivation) is observed with three fingers clutching the belly to depict a bountiful harvest. To the reverse there is an extremely scarce and important depiction of a Ruru (Morepork owl). The Ruru depicts the atua Heni-Ruru (owl woman) who was seen as a kaitiaki (guardian). This rare depiction of Heni-Ruru boasts marine ivory inserts to mimic the eyes of the owl, a beaked mouth and decorations reminiscent of a pukauae (female chin tattoo). Heni-Ruru ensured the crops would be protected (especially at night) from enemies and disease., Directly above the Heni-Ruru we see another carving style typical of the Te Arawa people. This time, a simple spiral consisting of two interlocking arms with a rauponga to the centre is observed. The carved body is prominently concentric lines and notching with some gaps to the notching consistent with a Te Arawa design. To the base we see a fine series of lashings with pegs inserted to prevent the lashings falling off at any time. Height 47 cm, depth 2.6 cm, on stand height 49.8 cm. Registered as Whakapakoko Rakau (God stick). Provenance: Private Collection, Aotearoa. Previously of a private collection, Paris. Previously of a private collection, England for over a century

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Tribal: New Zealand Maori