Minneapolis Institute of Art

Head

Māori artist

Date

18th century

Medium

Wood

Culture

Māori

Department

Arts of Oceania

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Elaborately carved heads such as this one were mounted on poles and used to mark territorial boundaries. Called rahui , each head served as a warning to trepassers that they were entering the land of another clan. The face is carved into a stern, serious expression, befitting its role as a cautionary signal. It used to have shell inlay in its eyes, which gave them lifelike flash and fire. Māori, New Zealand, Oceania

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