Maori Carved Wooden Head-Malcolm Kirk Collection-Oceanic Art
Small Maori Carved Head
Rukupo School, Gisborne district, northeastern New Zealand
Malcolm Kirk Collection
H. Jaeger Collection
Mid-19th century
3 ¼” (8.4 cm) in height
Malcolm Kirk is probably best known in the Oceanic art community for his wonderful 1981 book Man as Art, New Guinea, featuring amazing photographs of fully decorated Highlands men and women. He was also a keen collector of New Guinea art, and many people overlook the section at the back of the book, showing black and white photographs of masterpieces, mostly masks.
The present Maori head probably came from the end of a feather box. It is a little gem of Maori artistry and figurative style. It is both delicate and bold, with great details and imposing volumes for such a diminutive object. The patina is a rich chocolate brown.
Published in "OCEANIC ART: PROVENANCE AND HISTORY" edited by Michael Hamson, pages 172/173, item 39.