item details
NameTauihu (canoe prow); of Wi Hapi Pakau.
ProductionWi Hape Pākau; carver; 1830 / 1850; Taranaki
Classificationcanoes
Materialswood, pāua (abalone shell)
Materials SummaryThe tauihu is carved from a single piece of wood, usually by a single master carver.
Techniqueswoodcarving
DimensionsOverall: 480mm (width), 1370mm (length), 380mm (depth)
Registration NumberME024181
Credit lineCollection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Puke Ariki, jointly purchased 2015
Overview
This tauihu waka belonged to the Te Āti Awa chief Wi Hape Pakau and remains a treasured family heirloom.
The overall form conforms to the conventional 'ringa-whiu' style for a canoe prow. This form can be distinguished by it's elaborately carved elements, the projecting anthropomorphic figure with peaked forehead, protruding tongue, and swept-back arms (ringa-whiu) and extended legs and feet; together with the two large carved pitau or takarangi scroll forms that dominate the center area behind the head and arms. This particular tauihu also contains carved design elements in the surface carving that are particular to the Taranaki carving practice.