Marquesas Islands Stilt Step-Tapuvae-Polynesian Art-Oceanic Art
As I have mentioned, I am really enamored with Marquesas Islands stilt steps, “tapuvae.” I just think they are a beautiful entree into Polynesian figurative sculpture. Not only do these stilt steps have large well-carved tiki figures but are also graced with superb dark worn glossy patinas from decades of use. This example comes from the Matthias Lemaire Collection of Amsterdam, then the Paula Rubel & Abe Rosman Collection of New York and was illustrated in Sotheby’s New York sale of 8 April 2021. The piece is 13 ¼” (33.6 cm) in height, dates to the early 19th century.