Moai Kavakava, 18th century
Unknown artist, Rapa Nui (Easter Island)expand_more
Woodexpand_more
The William Hood Dunwoody Fund and Gift of the Morse Foundationexpand_more 72.3
On View in Gallery 256expand_more
Moai kavakava, which means "image with ribs," is the most common of the wood sculptures on Rapa Nui. These gaunt male figures, with their protruding bones and skull-like heads, probably represent the spirits of the dead. Little is known about their precise functions, but it is likely that they were worn around the neck during certain festivals. The extended earlobes, typical of this type of sculpture, are shown with cylindrical ear ornaments representing the actual shark vertebra earplugs once worn by the island's inhabitants.
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- Title
- Moai Kavakava
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 72.3
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our 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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