Minneapolis Institute of Art

Chief's Stool (no'oanga)

Polynesia (Aitu Island)

Date

1800–25

Medium

Wood

Department

Arts of Oceania

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Royal or chiefly seats, called no’oanga , were used during ceremonies as a symbol of one’s status. The smooth carving and elegant curves of this stool are typical of Cook Islands artwork. Carefully carved from a single block of wood by the skilled artists of Aitu Island, this type of stool was made for the market and traded throughout the Cook Islands. Oceania

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