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Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)
Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)
Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_overall.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_overall.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_print_top_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_print_top_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_top_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_top_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_side.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_side.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_bottom.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.78_bottom.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view2_acetate_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view2_acetate_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail07.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail07.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail06.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail06.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail04.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail04.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail05.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail05.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail01.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail01.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail08.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail08.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail09.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail09.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail02.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail02.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail03.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.50.78_detail03.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_side_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_side_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_bottom_bw.jpg)

Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_bottom_bw.jpg)

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Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)

Arts of the Pacific Islands

Lizard, human, and avian characteristics merge in these so-called lizard figures. Researchers have advanced many explanations regarding their use. The fact that the legs of of figures like these two form a handle shape suggests they were used as clubs. In addition, the figures may have been held in the hand or worn around the neck by dancers during feasts. Some moko miro were placed in the doorways of houses, eitiher suspended from the roof or set into the ground, to protect the inhabitants from harm. Originally, these figures had inlaid white shell eyes with obsidian pupils.

CULTURE Rapanui
MEDIUM Wood, shell or bone
  • Place Made: Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Valparaiso Region, Chile
    • DATES 19th century
    DIMENSIONS 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of the Pacific Islands
    ACCESSION NUMBER 50.78
    CREDIT LINE Museum Collection Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Ancestral figure, half lizard half man, polished wood; kept wrapped and unwrapped for ceremonial purposes Condition: good
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Rapanui. Lizard Figure (Moko Miro), 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 50.78_view1_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
    "CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Rapanui. <em>Lizard Figure (Moko Miro)</em>, 19th century. Wood, shell or bone, 16 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (40.6 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 50.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.78_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)

    TAGS

    Rapa Nui
    Easter Island

    TAGS

    Rapa Nui
    Easter Island

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