Treasure Box (Papahou)

Unknown

18th century · Wood, shell · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Personal ornaments are important objects in Maori culture. Often worn on the head, the most sacred part of the body, these absorb the supernatural power (mana) of their wearers and are carefully handled when not in use. To contain ornaments and other valuable objects, carvers formerly fashioned treasure boxes that were hung from the rafters of houses to keep their precious and powerful contents out of reach. As the boxes were often seen from below, their undersides were also extensively carved. Shallow rectangular treasure boxes such as this work were called papahou. The designs here consist primarily of human figures (tiki) that likely represent ancestors. The lid is adorned with a handle formed by three reclining tiki, two of whom are depicted in the act of procreation, perhaps symbolizing the continuity of the mana of the ancestors through their living descendants.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Wood, shell

Culture

Maori people

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1960