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Lot 13

Fan, Marquesas Islands

27 April 2022, 10:00 EDT
New York

Sold for US$22,950 inc. premium

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Fan, Marquesas Islands

tahi
Wood, padanus leaves, sennit fiber
Height 17 1/4in (43.8cm)

Provenance
Herbert J. Allcroft Collection, Stokesay Court Est., Shropshire, England, field collected in 1894-95
Wayne Heathcote, Brussels/New York/London
Important Private Collection, acquired from the above

"Distinctively shaped fans, or tahi'i, were carried by toa (warriors), tau'a (ritual specialists), and other high ranking men and women as status markers. Displayed on important occasions, especially feasts, their visual impact was enhanced by the elegant manner with which they were carried, particularly by women.

Fans were described by many early visitors to the Marquesas, beginning with Cook in 1774. Tahuata has been singled out as having a reputation for finely made fans and many have been collected from that island, including four on Cook's voyage." (Kjellgren, Eric and Carol Ivory, Adorning the World - Art of the Marquesas Islands, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2005, p. 81)

Additional information

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