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Tekoteko (gable figure)

Unknown (carver)1780-1840

Te Papa

Te Papa
Wellington, New Zealand

This tekoteko (carved gable figure) is from the apex of a whare (house). It is approximately 650 millimetres in height, with a dark brown patina. It consists of an ornately carved ancestral figure represented in a naturalistic form positioned upon another ancestral figure with a naturalistic body, wheku-style head, and two three-fingered hands clasped to the mouth. The base figure is perforated for lashing to the gable of a small whare or pataka (storehouse). This secondary figure's feet terminate in a third form, possibly a head, which would have been viewed from beneath.

Important ancestor
The striking composition of the figure together with the well-endowed penis joined to a large, realistic hei tiki (pendant in human form), makes for a powerful representation of an important tupuna (ancestor), possibly the kaitiaki (guardian) of a significant tribal heirloom (the hei tiki). Both the hei tiki and the penis could also be symbols of potency and fertility employed to represent a tupuna with numerous progeny or a tribal progenitor.

Attribution issues
Determining an attribution for the stylistic form of this taonga (cultural treasure) has proved challenging. However, taking into consideration all the carved elements, the consensus is that the tekoteko was carved in the greater Tai Rawhiti eastern seaboard with strong influences from Te Arawa in the Bay of Plenty.

Details

  • Title: Tekoteko (gable figure)
  • Creator: Unknown (carver)
  • Date Created: 1780-1840
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 120mm (width), 650mm (height), 90mm (depth), 2465g (weight)
  • Provenance: Purchased 2006
  • Subject Keywords: Te Huringa I: 1800 - 1900
  • Rights: All Rights Reserved
  • External Link: Te Papa Collections Online
  • Medium: Carved from a single piece of wood, probbaly totara.
  • Support: wood
  • Registration ID: ME023846

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