ID: 700001742	Record Type: Movable Work
Images: 1

Tauihu (canoe prow) (prows; Unknown; 1750; Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Wellington, Welling...; OL000050/1)

Note: This beautifully carved tauihu is the prow of a waka taua (war canoe). It is a fine example of the pitau style of tauihu, recognisable by the carved figure at the front, with its protruding and defiant tongue, and arms stretched out behind with clearly realised hands and fingers. The figure represents Tumatauenga (the god of war), who is tasked with warning his brother Tangaroa (the god of the sea) that humans are crossing Tangaroa's domain in a war canoe. It is a very early example of tauihu construction and carving.

Titles:

Tauihu (canoe prow) (preferred,C,U,RP,English-P,U,U)

Catalog Level: item

Work Types:

prows [300248152] (preferred)

..... (Objects Facet, Components (Hierarchy Name), components (objects), <components by specific context>, <vehicle components>)

figurehead (prow ornament) [300184745]

..... (Objects Facet, Visual and Verbal Communication (Hierarchy Name), Visual Works (Hierarchy Name), <visual works (Guide Term)>, <visual works by medium or technique>, sculpture (visual work), <sculpture by location or context>, prow ornaments)

Classifications:

sculpture (preferred)

Creation Date: 1750

Creator Display:

Unknown [preferred,VP]

carver unknown (unknown cultural designation) [500125274]

Locations:

Current: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Wellington, Wellington region, North Island, Oceania) [500311561] Corporate Bodies (Corp. Body)

Repository Numbers: OL000050/1

Credit Line: Oldman Collection. Gift of the New Zealand Government, 1992

Creation: New Zealand [1000226] Oceania (continent), World (facet) (Geographic)

Display Materials: wood, paua shell

	wood (plant material) [300011914]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (Hierarchy Name), materials (matter), <materials by origin>, <biological material>, plant material, <wood and wood products>)

	abalone shell [300011833]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (Hierarchy Name), materials (matter), <materials by composition>, <combination inorganic/organic material>, <combination inorganic/organic animal material>, <shell and shell material>, shell (animal material), seashell)

	carving (processes) [300053149]
	.......(Activities Facet, Processes and Techniques, <processes and techniques>, <processes and techniques by specific type>, <subtractive processes and techniques>, <carving and carving techniques>)

Dimensions: 420 (length) x 195 (width) x 200 (height) mm

General Subject:

human figure(s) (preferred )

Specific Subjects:

	Tumatauenga
	..... Iconography Candidate

List/Hierarchical Position:

..... Top of the CONA hierarchy

.......... Movable Work

Sources and Contributors:
Tauihu (canoe prow)	........ [VP]
	........ Te Papa spreadsheet (2012)
	........ Te Papa online (2000-) http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/ObjectDetails.aspx?oid=210341; accessed 16 August 2012

Subject: ....... [VP]

Note:
English	..... [VP]
	..... Te Papa online (2000-) http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/ObjectDetails.aspx?oid=210341; accessed 16 August 2012