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Liz Bickel | all galleries >> Places Around the World: Multiple Galleries >> Around the World: Multiple Galleries >> New Zealand - Multiple Galleries >> Valentine's Day in Auckland > Tiki
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13-FEB-2009 copyright Elizabeth Bickel

Tiki

Although in most of Polynesia "tiki" refers to any carved human form, the term "tiki" in New Zealand specifically means a human figure carved in greenstone (or other material) to be worn as a neck ornament.

Therefore, although this elaborate design on a temple facade represents a human figure, it is considered just a "wood carving" and not a Maori "tiki". At first glance, one might think it is the same design as http://www.pbase.com/britestar/image/113494705; however, the carver was a different individual; as was the ancestor this figure represents.

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COPYRIGHT 2009, Elizabeth Bickel. All Rights Reserved. Any and/or all usage or copying of photos, without express written permission from the photographer, is prohibited by law. For information concerning the use or purchase of an image, contact the artist.


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