Turtle, 19th century, 2 1/4 x 6 15/16 x 9 11/16 in. (5.72 x 17.62 x 24.61 cm), Coral, Society Islands, 19th century, Tahitian society was divided into clans, and each had its own deity, often a prominent ancestor or venerated animal. The totemic spirits connected the clan to the natural world and were symbolically represented in many forms of art. This carved turtle depicts a clan deity and embodies the essence of all turtles, their inherent power and mythical qualities, rather than a specific animal. Finished pieces may seem to have a rough appearance, but the process of making the art and how it was used determined its value in Tahitian culture. Its significance came from the oral histories attached to it, tales of the ancestors, the gods and, for this type of piece, the related clan.
Keywords:
Turtle, 19th century, Coral, Society Islands, 19th century, Tahitian society, divided, clans, own deity, prominent ancestor, venerated animal, totemic spirits connected, clan, natural world, symbolically represented, forms, art, carved turtle depicts, clan deity, embodies, essence, turtles, inherent power, mythical qualities, specific animal, Finished pieces, rough appearance, process, art, determined, value, Tahitian culture, significance came, oral histories attached, tales, ancestors, gods, type, piece, related clan
Image ID:
The watermark in the image will not appear on the final download.