Polynesian Wood Carving History

For techniques and other information see wood carving.

Polynesian wood carving history. South pacific art history is generally organized into three geographic regions. These islands share similar artistic traditions of other pacific islands including the art of tattooing. Maori wood carvers used tools made from greenstone which was precious for its strength as well as its natural beauty. This article is about the history of wood carving.

By extension a tiki is a large or small wooden or stone carving in humanoid form although this is a somewhat archaic usage in the māori language. 163 likes 1 talking about this 2 were here. Polynesian carving general information. Wooden spears from the middle paleolithic such as the clacton spear reveal how humans have engaged in.

Polynesia micronesia and melanesia. They often serve to mark the boundaries of sacred or significant sites. Doug christy a 37 year veteran maori wood carver for the polynesian cultural center pcc in laie hawaii learned his craft from his father who also worked at the pcc for many years now he and the other senior carvers at the center teach those same skills to a new generation of student workers. Hei tiki drawing of a 19th century mauri hei tiki ornamental neck pendant.

Wood carving is one of the oldest arts of humankind. Measures approximately about comes with a removal carved stand as shown in photos. Simple wood carving maori patterns polynesian art maori designs maori art canoe and kayak remo ancient history sculpture art hand carved by a new zealand maori carver about 20 years ago. The art of wood carving is called whakairo rakau and focuses on using a range of native timbers particularly wood from the majestic giants of the forest the kauri and totara.

Origins carving is one of man oldest known art form a 25 000 year old stone statue has been found the pop polynesian like venus of willendorf only cave paintings are older and they were usually done in relief. Each with it s own special insignia. Polynesian carving often represented gods deities or an ancestral hero. They were sometimes made free standing but are also often found as part of an object like the top of a fly whisk.

Personalize a carved honu for good luck or a warrior tiki. While the regions have interacted traded and exchanged culturally for centuries there are defining aesthetic political linguistic and cultural traits within each region. The marquesas have a long history of complex geometric tattooing covering the whole bodies of both men and women. Polynesian carving also includes bowls weapons and jewelry by they are covered in other articles.