Statue (human figure with turtle)

This wooden statue of a man holding a turtle is an unusual example of figurative carving from Samoa. The earliest written records and examples of Samoan figurative sculpture come from the nineteenth century. From the early 1830’s through to the late 1890’s it appears that the production of figurative sculpture was well established and associated with the decoration of certain types of canoes.(1) Internationally, only a few carved wooden figures from this period have been identified in museums.

In the twentieth century, the main market for woodcarving in Samoa was the tourist market. From time to time carved wooden human figures appeared on the market in different forms, featuring a range of local and overseas influences. Books and magazines were a source of inspiration for carvers. Pseudo Marquesan tiki and Hawaiian style carvings became popular and were sold as "authentic" Samoan carvings from at least the 1960's. (2) A key development was the now familiar carved wooden figures of tulafale (talking chiefs) and taupou (chiefs daughters). These appeared in the 1970's and were the result of an effort to broaden the range of wooden articles available for sale to the tourist. Samoan carver Sven Ortquist, trained a small group of carvers to make these and other items such as storyboards out of wood. These styles of carving dominated the market in Samoa well into the late 1990's.

Acquisition history

The origin of this particular carving is unknown. It was purchased in 2012 from an auction house in New Zealand. It was probably made in the mid to late twentieth century for the tourist market, although its unusually large size and design suggests it may have been made on commission.

References 

1. Neich, R. 1991 Samoan Figurative Carvings and Taumualua Canoes - A Further Note. Journal of the Polynesian Society, 100:317-328 page 327

2. Dark, P.J.C. 1990 Tomorrow's Heritage is Today's Art, and Yesteryear's Identity in Hanson.A and Hanson.L. (eds) Art and Identity in Oceania. Crawford House Press:.Australia