item details
NameBone carving
ProductionOwen Mapp; sculptor; 2007; Paraparaumu
Classificationcarvings
Materialswhale bone (bone), pāua (abalone shell), horn
Materials SummaryWhale bone, from the lower jaw of a sperm whale; paua; goat horn.
DimensionsOverall: 230mm (width), 210mm (height)
Registration NumberGH011674
Credit linePurchased 2007
Overview
A whalebone carving, almost circular in shape; the central motif is four interlocking spirals representing sea creatures. These are enclosed within an outer circular motif comprising two whales, overlapping head-to-tail. The depiction of the whales in equal balance inspires the work's title, "Ocean Balance, tapu - noa"