Maori. Head (Parata), 18th or 19th century. Wood, 6 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. (16.5 x 13.3 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Friede, 74.124. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.124_bw_SL3.jpg)
Maori. Head (Parata), 18th or 19th century. Wood, 6 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. (16.5 x 13.3 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Friede, 74.124. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.124_bw_SL1.jpg)
Maori. Head (Parata), 18th or 19th century. Wood, 6 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. (16.5 x 13.3 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Friede, 74.124. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.124_bw.jpg)
Head (Parata)
Arts of the Pacific Islands
CULTURE
Maori
MEDIUM
Wood
DATES
18th or 19th century
DIMENSIONS
6 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. (16.5 x 13.3 x 13.3 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Painted in red on neck: "963"
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Pacific Islands
ACCESSION NUMBER
74.124
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Friede
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Wooden head with elaborate curvilinear incised moko (tattoo) marks on the entire surface of the face. The wood is a dark brown and a glossy patina. The nose, eyes, and mouth are indicated. Carved on the back of the head is a complete manaia figure in relief. The profile head of the manaia is bird-like with a beak shaped mouth and two fang-like teeth indicated. The arms are outstretched and terminate in claw-like hands with three fingers on each hand. The torso is that of a human. The thighs are feather-like in shape and the legs are in a crouched position. The head, arms, and thighs all have elaborate curvilinear incised markings.
Condition: Very good. The lower part of the left leg has been broken off. There is a drilled hole (probably for mounting) in the base of the manaia figure. There is a fairly deep square hole in the top back of the head, and a small square shaped area is also missing just above this. There are nicks and checks on the back of the head, and nicks on the manaia figure. Ex-collection (?): piece has 963 painted in red on neck.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Maori. Head (Parata), 18th or 19th century. Wood, 6 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. (16.5 x 13.3 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Friede, 74.124. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.124_bw_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 74.124_bw_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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