Figure Item Number: 3487/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Carved wooden figure depicting a standing woman. She is forward facing, with a flat body, thin arms and rounded legs. Her feet are circular and have incised lines along the front edges, imitating toes. She has a wide neck and long, oval-shaped face. Her eyebrows are pronounced and she has a thin nose, and straight mouth. Her eyes are circular and inlaid with bone and obsidian. There are incised lines across her head, imitating hair, that extend upward, into a large bun, protruding from the top of her head. Her long, oval-shaped ears are along the back sides of her head. Holes are drilled into the lobes. On her front, her breasts are carved in low relief. Her right arm is bent, with her hand resting below her left breast. Her left arm is parallel to her body, with her hand resting over her groin. On the back of the figure, her shoulder blades and buttocks are carved in low relief.

Specific Techniques

The wood used is likely from the toromiro tree, which is now extinct in the wild.

Narrative

These two figures (3487/1-2) came to the McKay family from a crew member of the 'Soquel'--a ship that was wrecked on Seabird Rocks, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, in January 1909. Doris McKay's great-grandfather lived in Bamfield at the time, and was part of the rescue team. The ship was sailing with ballast from Callao, Peru, where it is thought a crew member likely acquired the two figures.

Item History

What

Name
Figure
Identification Number
3487/2
Type of Item
figure
Material
wood, bone and obsidian stone
Overall
height 61.2 cm, width 13.8 cm, depth 8.3 cm

Who

Culture
Rapa Nui
Previous Owner
Donald McKay
Received from
Donald McKay (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Easter Island

When

Creation Date
before 1909
Ownership Date
before March 28, 2021
Acquisition Date
on March 28, 2021

Other

Item Classes
carvings & sculpture
Condition
fair
Accession Number
3487/0002