Anthropomorphic amulet "hei tiki"
New Zealand, Maori
sold
EUR 1,000
Size
H: 13,3 cm
H: 5.2 inch
Description
bone, blackish patina, eyes with shell inlay, drilled hole for suspension, traces of old age, base;
around 1900, made for the trade.
To the Maori “hei tiki” represented outstanding pieces of jewellery. Each had its own name and embodied the “mana” (vitality) of its owner.The amulet represents “tiki”, the creator of man.