Three pendants (hei tiki)
Maori peoples
19th–20th century
Object PlaceNew Zealand
Object PlaceAotearoa
Medium/TechniqueStone; nephrite jade
Pendant on left
DimensionsOverall: 10.2 x 4.4 x 0.6 cm (4 x 1 3/4 x 1/4 in.)
Credit LineGift of Landon T. Clay
Accession number2004.2235
On View
On viewClassificationsPersonal accessories
Collections
Nephrite pendants in the form of contorted human figures were the most valued Maori possessions. It has been estimated that it required 750 hours to produce one pendant worn around the necks of both men and women, tiki were passed down through the generations. The imagery on tiki is thought to represent ancestors, corpses and fetuses. Each tiki had its own name and was addressed in person when brought out of the treasure box.
ProvenanceBy 1997, Landon Clay, Peterborough, NH; 2004, year-end gift of Landon Clay to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 23, 2005)
20th century
19th–20th century
20th century
19th century
1960's?
Artist Unidentified
mid-20th century