Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
Important poutokomanawa carved by anaha te rahui (1822-1913),…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
28-Mar-2012
Lot No.
***
Description:
Important poutokomanawa carved by anaha te rahui (1822-1913), the Poutokomanawa forms the central support post of the Whare Whakairo or meeting house. It traditionally depicts the captain of an ancestral cae or ather figure of societal importance radiating the mana and prestige of its people. The Whare Whakairo itself represents a primal ancestor with the Poutokomanawa holding up its backbone and imbuing the structure with physical and spiritual strength.Recently repatriated from Europe this superb Poutokomanawa is understood to be the work of Anaha Te Rahui – master carver visionary warrior and ackwledged Ngati Tarawhai leader (1864). The head of the Poutokomanawa is of an exceptional scale in relation to his body reflecting the Polynesian conception of the head as the centre of personal power and spiritual force. The face is a form of portrait the elaborate patterns of the full facial moko or tattoo suggesting a warrior chief of high rank. The key design motifs are symmetrically arranged within the opposing design fields which follow the contours of the face mapping and enhancing the natural 'geography'. The shoulders and chest are superbly carved with tightly wrapped rauponga spirals triple haehae and pakati tching. The body demonstrates the artist's mastery of figurative sculpture with its sweeping back muscular shoulder lines and tense arms supported by highly stylised legs that express the immense strength of the subject. The orthodox paepae designs presented on his thighs and calves are elegant and spacious. Following the lines through to the lower back arched in readiness the moko offers further insights into the warrior's elevated status. Strong raurau and kuru designs connect the buttocks and lower body to the bare back which flows up towards the classically formed head with its deeply engaging and affecting expression.REFERENCE. Christie Manson and Woods Ltd. Art and ethgraphy from Asia Africa the Americas Melanesia and Polynesia. Christie's. 1979Mack Charles. Width Polynesian Art At Auction 1965 – 1980 Tribal Art At Auction Volume 1 Pg. 92-93 Mack-Nasser Publishing Inc. 1982. Length 121 cm. Width 31 cm. Depth 29 cm
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Unclassified