This very rare figure has a flattened head and muscular arms carved in relief, with hands folded across its belly. It has four fingers on each hand, and a round navel, buttocks and thighs, bent knees with round kneecaps and flat feet with five toes. It has a pointed chin, hooked nose, parted lips and a head of human hair. Carved designs simulate tattoo scars on the face and chest and the eyes are of inlaid haliotis shell.
One of only a few known-surviving examples, this object was donated from the Andersonian Collection in 1888. It was probably placed at the base of interior house posts as representatives of ancestors.
Maori figure with hair
Contributed by The Hunterian
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the ±«Óãtv or the British Museum. The ±«Óãtv is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Period
- Theme
- Size
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Glasgow and West of Scotland.
Find out more
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
±«Óãtv iD
±«Óãtv navigation
±«Óãtv links
±«Óãtv © 2014 The ±«Óãtv is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Share this link: