Pendant Item Number: C1177 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Pendant in the shape of a stylized female figure (hei tiki) with geometric patterns. The figure's head is tilting to her right. The circular eyes are inlaid with abalone (paua). The figure's right arm is at the waist; the left arm is at the face; legs are crossed. Four holes are bored through the figure, two at the arms and two at the legs. An off-white cord threads through the two arm holes; the cord closes with an bone screw clasp.
History Of Use
Worn suspended from the neck. Known in Maori as hei tiki, (hei means something suspended from the neck, and tiki means any human figure). Tiki are worn by women and men, and are treasured as personal ornaments and heirlooms. Commonly made from nephrite (see C1178), however older ones are thought to have been made from bone, ivory or wood.
Item History
- Made in New Zealand before 1920
- Collected between 1910 and 1920
- Owned by James Fyfe-Smith and Mary G. Fyfe-Smith
- Owned by Florence Fyfe-Smith before 1957
- Received from Florence Fyfe-Smith (Donor) during 1957
What
- Name
- Pendant
- Identification Number
- C1177
- Type of Item
- pendant
- Material
- abalone shell, whale bone and silk fibre ?
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and inlaid
- Overall
- height 6.8 cm, width 4.8 cm, depth 0.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- Maori
- Previous Owner
- James Fyfe-Smith, Mary G. Fyfe-Smith and Florence Fyfe-Smith
- Received from
- Florence Fyfe-Smith (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- New Zealand
When
- Creation Date
- before 1920
- Collection Date
- between 1910 and 1920
- Ownership Date
- before 1957
- Acquisition Date
- during 1957
Other
- Condition
- good