Info Request - Oceanic Tattoo Warrior - Got one? - Collecting Tiki

M multinesia Member Aotearoa/Cook Is Joined: Feb 08, 2009 Posts: 2	M multinesia Posted posted on Sun, Feb 8, 2009 7:16 PM Kia orana koutou katoa! Greetings Tiki Tribe. I’m the Rarotonga native Big Bro mentions above (Dad is from Aitutaki and Mum is a kiwi; born in Aotearoa, began my journalism career at the Cook Islands News, now making movies in L.A.), so I’m coming aboard to add my 2 cents worth. This is a very unusual carving. Have never seen anything like it in my travels through Oceania and Pacific art/lit/history. The artist has a unique and playful style that is quite charming. I would say definitely not Rarotongan; have never seen anything like it in the Cooks. Most likely of further Eastern Pacific origins – Tahiti/Marquesas/Tuamotus. The V-shaped banding does look like stylized tatau/tattoo but beware of seeking any direct correlation. Early post-contact Pacific etchings are often inaccurate, and since Eastern Polynesian tatau died out shortly after missionaries (e.g. Rev. John Williams mentioned in the caption), many of the original patterns and forms were not preserved. Tend to agree with Sven – this is most likely from the Black Lagoon. Or could be Ewok tribe (below). In any case, he’s a beauty and his mysterious origins make him all the more fascinating.

Kia orana koutou katoa! Greetings Tiki Tribe.

I’m the Rarotonga native Big Bro mentions above (Dad is from Aitutaki and Mum is a kiwi; born in Aotearoa, began my journalism career at the Cook Islands News, now making movies in L.A.), so I’m coming aboard to add my 2 cents worth.

This is a very unusual carving. Have never seen anything like it in my travels through Oceania and Pacific art/lit/history. The artist has a unique and playful style that is quite charming. I would say definitely not Rarotongan; have never seen anything like it in the Cooks.

Most likely of further Eastern Pacific origins – Tahiti/Marquesas/Tuamotus. The V-shaped banding does look like stylized tatau/tattoo but beware of seeking any direct correlation. Early post-contact Pacific etchings are often inaccurate, and since Eastern Polynesian tatau died out shortly after missionaries (e.g. Rev. John Williams mentioned in the caption), many of the original patterns and forms were not preserved.

Tend to agree with Sven – this is most likely from the Black Lagoon. Or could be Ewok tribe (below). In any case, he’s a beauty and his mysterious origins make him all the more fascinating.

Post #433211 by multinesia on Sun, Feb 8, 2009 7:16 PM