Figure Item Number: 3487/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Carved wooden figure depicting a standing woman. Her head is shown in profile and is facing down. She has a long, oval-shaped face with pronounced eyebrows and lips, and a long, wide nose. Her eyes are circular and inlaid with bone and obsidian. There are incised lines across her head, imitating hair, that extend into two buns, protruding from the back of her head. The figure’s body is flat and curves towards the left. Legs have a curved front and flat back. Feet are circular and have incised lines along the front edges, imitating toes. Her right arm is bent with her hand resting on her stomach. Her left arm is parallel to her body, with her hand resting near her groin. On the back of the figure, her shoulder blades and buttocks are carved in low relief. She has a white string knotted around her neck. Inscription on the centre of her back, reading "Soquel 1909."

Specific Techniques

Rapa Nui's tree population was sparse, so this figure was likely made from a naturally curving branch. The wood used is probably from the toromiro tree, which is now extinct in the wild.

Narrative

These two figures (3487/1-2) came to the McKay family from a crew member of the 'Soquel'--a ship that was wrecked on Seabird Rocks, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, in January 1909. Doris McKay's great-grandfather lived in Bamfield at the time, and was part of the rescue team. The ship was sailing with ballast from Callao, Peru, where it is thought a crew member likely acquired the two figures.

Item History

What

Name
Figure
Identification Number
3487/1
Type of Item
figure
Material
cotton fibre, wood, bone and obsidian stone
Overall
height 35.4 cm, width 15.7 cm, depth 6.8 cm

Who

Culture
Rapa Nui
Previous Owner
Donald McKay
Received from
Donald McKay (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Easter Island

When

Creation Date
before 1909
Ownership Date
before March 28, 2021
Acquisition Date
on March 28, 2021

Other

Item Classes
carvings & sculpture
Condition
fair
Accession Number
3487/0001