Tiki (carving art)
As Tiki or tiki figure are made of wood or nephrite referred carved figures in ancestor worship are spread some South Pacific cultures. They are anthropomorphic figurines with slightly oversized heads and grimacing faces. The heads are often tilted slightly to one side, as if listening. The bodies are mostly decorated with ornaments that are supposed to imitate the ritual tattoos of Polynesian priests.
In the Māori language of New Zealand , the term Tiki means "first man" or "first man". So-called Hei-Tiki are small figures that are often carved from pounamu (nephrite, also known as New Zealand jade) and worn on a flax cord as an amulet around the neck. According to popular belief , they should listen to the porter's prayers, chants and requests (which explains their tilted heads) and protect him from misfortunes and curses.
In the 1950s to early 1960s, the so-called Tiki culture had its peak in the USA. It was a wave of fashion that was reflected in the design of countless art and everyday objects, e.g. B. Cocktail cups, lamps, body jewelry, sculptures, etc., as well as found their way into residential buildings, bars, restaurants and hotel architecture.
literature
- Christine Binder-Fritz: Whaka Whanau: Birth and motherhood among the Maori in New Zealand (= European university publications : Folklore, Ethnology , 43rd volume), Peter Lang, 1996, ISBN 9783631476291 , p. 114.
- Gilbert Archey: Whaowhia: Maori Art and Its Artists . Collins, 1977, ISBN 9780002169103 , p. 90.