Tiki (Hei Tiki)
Place made:New Zealand, Oceania
Culture: Maori people
Date: late 19th century-early 20th century
Medium: Nephrite
Dimensions:
height: 4 1/2 in. (11.5 cm)
width: 2 3/16 in. (5.5 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Gilbert M. Denman, Jr.
Object number: 77.1059
Label Text
A "tiki" is a carving shaped to resemble and house a god or spirit. Tikis are known throughout the South Pacific and the Hawaiian Islands. The design of each tiki is as unique as the spirit it contains.
In pre-contact times, the figural "Hei Tiki" chest pendant was reserved for only the highest-ranking nobles. Following Captain Cook's first visit, the Maori people began widening the production of the objects to such an extent that by the mid-19th century, people were walking the streets of Auckland and Wellington wearing three or more pendants.
In pre-contact times, the figural "Hei Tiki" chest pendant was reserved for only the highest-ranking nobles. Following Captain Cook's first visit, the Maori people began widening the production of the objects to such an extent that by the mid-19th century, people were walking the streets of Auckland and Wellington wearing three or more pendants.
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
