Turtle, 19th century
Unknown artist, Society Islandsexpand_more
Coralexpand_more
The Tess E. Armstrong Fundexpand_more 2000.25.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
Tahitian society was divided into clans, and each had its own deity, often a prominent ancestor or venerated animal. The totemic spirits connected the clan to the natural world and were symbolically represented in many forms of art. This carved turtle depicts a clan deity and embodies the essence of all turtles, their inherent power and mythical qualities, rather than a specific animal. Finished pieces may seem to have a rough appearance, but the process of making the art and how it was used determined its value in Tahitian culture. Its significance came from the oral histories attached to it, tales of the ancestors, the gods and, for this type of piece, the related clan.
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- Title
- Turtle
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2000.25.1
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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