Maori moko mask

Description

Maori moko mask with closed eyes; solid mask. Beautiful Maori taonga (artwork).

Moko mask

Guardian, protector mask, with Moko (facial tattoo) of a warrior chief with description. Authentic Maori art from one of New Zealand’s top wood carvers!

Type of wood: Our carver uses native NZ wood (rimu, matai, totara or kauri).

• Size Maori moko mask: 280mm x 125mm (11.02″ x 4.92″)Or check out another large waka mask with open eyes >>

Carving materials and techniques

The trees used to provide wood for whakairo (carving) represented Tāne, the god of the forest, and carving timber was sometimes referred to as the embodiment of Tāne. Special rituals were required to fell trees such as tōtara for carving. Once transformed into poupou (carved posts), the timbers took on the properties of the chiefs and other figures they represented.

The pāua-shell used in the eyes of the figures came from the sea, the source of carving knowledge. The red ochre used to colour completed carvings was also worn as a personal decoration by high-born men and women, since red was the colour of high rank.

Source: Brett Graham, ‘Whakairo – Māori carving – Carving materials and techniques’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand >>