Carved male figure

Like the word taboo, the European word tattoo is derived from Polynesian languages. Tattooing was widely practised in the eastern Pacific, although techniques varied from place to place. It can be seen as a process of wrapping the body in images, which was understood to reinforce it, providing it with an additional protective layer.


In New Zealand, full facial tattoos also intentionally enhanced a warrior's intimidating appearance.

The facial tattoo or moko of this Maori figure displays great attention to detail. Maori tattooing involved a deep chiselling technique, which produced elaborate curved designs like these. The figure is from the base of a poutokomanawa, a central post, which supports the ridge-pole of a Maori meeting house. It represents an important ancestor of the tribal group that owned the house.

It is a naturalistic image and has eyes inlaid with haliotis shell. The large hands have just three fingers each, which is not unusual. Varying numbers of fingers are to be found on Maori carvings, and may be due to regional differences in style, rather than having a symbolic meaning.