New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands
Circa 1820–1870
Wood, nautilus shell inlay, human hair, natural pigments
Height 5.85 in / 15 cm
Provenance: Collection of Line and Hippoliet Verbeemen, Bonheiden, Belgium
Philippe Guimiot, Brussels, Belgium
This finely carved toto-isu, or war canoe figurehead, was made for attachment to the prow of a Solomon Islands tomako canoe. Positioned close to the waterline, figures of this type served as protective guardians during sea travel, fishing, warfare, and ceremonial expeditions. The shell-inlaid eyes, facial bands, natural pigment surface, and inset human hair reflect the close connection between sculpture, navigation, spiritual protection, and chiefly power in the Western Solomon Islands.
The compact scale heightens the refinement of the carving, especially in the face, hands, and shell inlay. Toto-isu figures were among the most visible sculptural elements of Western Solomon Islands war canoes, placed at the front of vessels that carried both practical and ceremonial force. This example carries documented European provenance and belongs to one of the most recognized forms of Oceanic canoe-related sculpture.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
INQUIRE HERE
New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands
Circa 1820–1870
Wood, nautilus shell inlay, human hair, natural pigments
Height 5.85 in / 15 cm
Provenance: Collection of Line and Hippoliet Verbeemen, Bonheiden, Belgium
Philippe Guimiot, Brussels, Belgium
This finely carved toto-isu, or war canoe figurehead, was made for attachment to the prow of a Solomon Islands tomako canoe. Positioned close to the waterline, figures of this type served as protective guardians during sea travel, fishing, warfare, and ceremonial expeditions. The shell-inlaid eyes, facial bands, natural pigment surface, and inset human hair reflect the close connection between sculpture, navigation, spiritual protection, and chiefly power in the Western Solomon Islands.
The compact scale heightens the refinement of the carving, especially in the face, hands, and shell inlay. Toto-isu figures were among the most visible sculptural elements of Western Solomon Islands war canoes, placed at the front of vessels that carried both practical and ceremonial force. This example carries documented European provenance and belongs to one of the most recognized forms of Oceanic canoe-related sculpture.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
INQUIRE HERE
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