
Te Hei Tiki
An Enduring Treasure in a Cultural Continuum
Dougal Austin(Author)
Te Papa Press
Will be published approx. on 12. September 2019
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-9951031-4-6 (ISBN)
Description
An expert guide to the history and the role of hei tiki, a beloved and much prized Maori artform.
Of all Maori personal adornments, the human figure pendants known as hei tiki are the most famous, highly prized and culturally iconic. This book examines and celebrates the long history of hei tiki and the enduring cultural potency of these taonga or cultural treasures.
This first book on hei tiki for 60 years is written by the Acting Senior Curator Matauranga Maori at Te Papa, who is a hei tiki expert, and includes a large selection of hei tiki, most from the taonga Maori collections of Te Papa, which is the largest in New Zealand and very likely the world. Many are published here for the first time, including some with exalted histories of ownership. It also covers the work of leading contemporary hei tiki makers.
Of all Maori personal adornments, the human figure pendants known as hei tiki are the most famous, highly prized and culturally iconic. This book examines and celebrates the long history of hei tiki and the enduring cultural potency of these taonga or cultural treasures.
This first book on hei tiki for 60 years is written by the Acting Senior Curator Matauranga Maori at Te Papa, who is a hei tiki expert, and includes a large selection of hei tiki, most from the taonga Maori collections of Te Papa, which is the largest in New Zealand and very likely the world. Many are published here for the first time, including some with exalted histories of ownership. It also covers the work of leading contemporary hei tiki makers.
Reviews / Votes
Selected as one of the Best Books of the Year by a panel of NZ Listener reviewers: 'A welcome, some would say long-overdue, insight into the history, mystery, meaning and manufacture of the varied forms and features of our most ubiquitous Maori motif by Te Papa curator Dougal Austin, supported by a stunning gallery of photographed hei tiki.'; 'This well-researched and well-written book discussed their value and status as taonga; their use and meaning; their various types and shapes; and their rich history ... adds a brilliant series of photographs showing the making of a hei tiki by hand ...' - Art News; 'Lavishly illustrated, with many of the hei tiki pictured in larger-than-life-size, full-page glory, the book has some claim to being described as a taonga in its own right.' - North & South.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Wellington
New Zealand
Illustrations
260 colour illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 259 mm
Width: 210 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
1324 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-9951031-4-6 (9780995103146)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Dougal Austin (Kati Mamoe, Kai Tahu, Waitaha) is Senior Curator Matauranga Maori at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He has a particular research interest in the origins, development, cultural use and significance of hei tiki. His current work has included a tour of the Kura Pounamu exhibition in China.
Content
He kupu whakataki
Introduction 9
01/ Nga whakamaramatanga
Use and meaning 15
02/ Nga momo me nga ahua
Types and shapes 27
03/ Te putakenga mai
Physical origins 49
04/ Nga korero kairangi
Exalted histories 93
05/ Nga tohu a-iwi
Tribal styles 117
06/ Nga tai whakaawe
External versus local influence 139
07/ Ka whiti ka pumau, 1750-1900
Change and continuity, 1750-1900 153
08/ Te whanako toi taketake, nga tau 1890-inaianei
Cultural appropriation, 1890s-present 185
09/ Te hei tiki me te Maori, 1900-inaianei
Maori and hei tiki, 1900-present 199
He kupu whakakapi
Epilogue 258
Appendices, Notes, Glossary, Select bibliography,
Image credits, Acknowledgements, Index 263
Introduction 9
01/ Nga whakamaramatanga
Use and meaning 15
02/ Nga momo me nga ahua
Types and shapes 27
03/ Te putakenga mai
Physical origins 49
04/ Nga korero kairangi
Exalted histories 93
05/ Nga tohu a-iwi
Tribal styles 117
06/ Nga tai whakaawe
External versus local influence 139
07/ Ka whiti ka pumau, 1750-1900
Change and continuity, 1750-1900 153
08/ Te whanako toi taketake, nga tau 1890-inaianei
Cultural appropriation, 1890s-present 185
09/ Te hei tiki me te Maori, 1900-inaianei
Maori and hei tiki, 1900-present 199
He kupu whakakapi
Epilogue 258
Appendices, Notes, Glossary, Select bibliography,
Image credits, Acknowledgements, Index 263