Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Gable Figure (Tekoteko)

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Gable Figure (Tekoteko)

• Culture: Maori
• Medium: Wood, shell, pigment
• Place Made: North Island, East Coast, New Zealand
• Dates: ca. 1850-1860
• Dimensions: 12 3/8 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. (31.4 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in The Arts of the Pacific, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 03.216
• Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Collection
• Image: Overall, 03.216_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Maori. Gable Figure (Tekoteko), ca. 1850-1860. Wood, shell, pigment, 12 3/8 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. (31.4 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, 03.216 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 03.216_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Small carved wooden figure with shell eyes and elaborate carved decoration. Colored with black paint, with traces of granular red and white pigment. The object is in good condition. Source unknown. An angled crack (2" long) is in the figure's stomach, beginning at the proper right hand and traveling through the penis. The proper right forearm is cracked. A crack (1" long) is on the proper left cheek at the jaw. A crack (1/2" long) is at the proper right side of the mouth. Two cracks are found at the proper right armpit. A cracked area is found at the proper right side of the head (1" long), above the eye. Two cracks (each 1/2" long) are on the proper left temple. A crack (1/2" long) is found at the top of the buttocks. All cracks are stable (Jan 1994).