Ceremonial Staff (Wari Hau)
Arts of the Pacific Islands
CULTURE
Malaita Islander
MEDIUM
Wood, shell, resin, fiber
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
- Place made: Solomon Islands
- Possible place made: Malaita, Solomon Islands
DIMENSIONS
16 1/2 inches (41.9 cm.) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Pacific Islands
ACCESSION NUMBER
81.164.12
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mrs. Melville W. Hall
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Wooden sceptre with delicate pearl shell inlay. Inlay held in place with black resin and each pearl shell inlay positioned so that resin also forms a diamond pattern. There are 16 rows of inlay the length of the shaft. The bottom of the shaft is delicately fluted. The top of the staff has been finely wrapped in fiber and the scepter is surmounted by a small round human head. The cap-like coiffure with small top knot is indicated. Very small shells indicate eyes, and it has a small triangular shaped nose.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Malaita Islander. Ceremonial Staff (Wari Hau). Wood, shell, resin, fiber, 16 1/2 inches (41.9 cm.). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Melville W. Hall, 81.164.12. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.81.164.12_print_front_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
front, CUR.81.164.12_print_front_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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