Maori God Stick (Whakapakoko Rākau), New Zealand, pre-1950

拍品描述

Oceania, New Zealand, Maori culture, ca. 1850–1950 CE. A Maori god stick, or whakapakoko rākau (taura atua), a wooden peg surmounted by a carved human head and tapering to a point below. The face carries a broad brow, a flared nose, and lips drawn back over notched teeth, with inlaid shell eyes. Incised patterns, including chevrons, notching, and spirals, ornament the cheeks and jaw, while the lower shaft is smooth and rounded. Sculptures of this type served as temporary shrines for an atua (deity or ancestral spirit), summoned into the figure by a tohunga (priest) during ritual. The god stick was driven point-first into the earth, often bound with cord, and used in rites associated with healing, protection, and ceremony. Size: 12.2" H x 2.3" W x 3.3" D (31.0 cm H x 5.8 cm W x 8.4 cm D). The god stick occupies a distinctive place in Maori ritual practice. Unlike a permanent idol, it functioned as a provisional vessel: the atua was not thought to reside within the wood continuously but was drawn into it for the duration of a rite. During invocation the tohunga would bind the figure with a cord of dressed flax, chanting karakia (incantations) to summon the deity's presence. Once the ceremony concluded, the object reverted to ordinary tapu-charged wood. The pointed lower shaft allowed the stick to be planted upright in the ground of a sacred precinct, so that the carved head, the seat of mana, stood at the level of the celebrant. Parts from certain animal species including nacre shell may require an additional license upon import into another country due to legislation relating to endangered species and environmental conservation. If you are not sure whether CITES rules apply to your item, please see the CITES Appendices. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #203997

图片