Description:

North America, Hawaii, Amakua, ca. 1790 to 1850 CE. A bust depicting an aumakua, a family deity in Hawaiian mythology, sometimes representing a sacred ancestor, this example manifesting as a female with long hair, finely carved from a porous volcanic stone. Aumakua have traditionally been worshipped at rocky locales where it is believed they reside. The aumakua manifest in nature and have traditionally taken the forms of humans, animals, rocks, or places. The ancients of Hawaii who subscribed to an animist belief system saw no issue with this powerful spirit embodying multiple forms. Some families have numerous amaukua. The famous dancer, composer, scholar, and educator Mary Kawena Pukui's family is famous for having at least 50 known amaukua. Custom stand. Size: 7" W x 10" H (17.8 cm x 25.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-private Hawaii collection

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#113663

  • Condition: Expected aged surface as shown. This said, the human presence is still quite discernible. No restoration.

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May 12, 2016 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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