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Tapuvae stilt, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia - Lot 15

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Lot 15
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Estimation :
9000 - 10000 EUR
Tapuvae stilt, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia - Lot 15
Tapuvae stilt, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Dark and shiny patina. Height: 32 cm. Provenance: - Olivier Vanuxem Collection Used in the Marquesas Islands for ritual sports events or funeral ceremonies, stilts were fitted with a stirrup commonly known as a "tapuvae", adorned with a symbolic tiki figure supporting the stirrup with strength, poise and boldness. Depicted in a classic iconographic position: standing on a base, slightly curled up, back arched, legs bent, arms folded along the body, hands placed delicately on the abdomen, the tiki's serene, tranquil posture is emphasized by its accentuated volumes, signifying its strength and robustness, as well as the power of its symbolism in Polynesia. Magnified by the slender curved shape attached to its forehead, its imposing conical head, resting directly on the shoulders, offers a face with large, characteristic circular open eyes and a broad nose whose bridge extends to draw in the arched eyebrows. The engraved decoration is beautifully tight and regular. The surface retains traces of the shell used to shape it. Very fine, shiny, brown patina. Although the figure's features have been blurred by time and use, its strength of presence has not been altered.
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