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An Illustrated Guide to Maori Art
Highly illustrated, this book will answer the questions most commonly asked about Maori art and will give the reader a deeper understanding of the symbolic and spiritual significance of the works.s
Paperback
First published December 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 8, 2025
A well researched and written book with excellent illustrations. Some noteworthy mentions:
Classic Maori Art is an expression of a war orientated society. Its warrior chiefs were glorified above all others.
Tools were made of natural materials such as bone, stone, shell, obsidian and shark teeth, with the preference of making an object from a single piece of material.
Secondary decoration was applied where it seemed appropriate.
A symbol was the dominant theme.
Patterns were created by the repitition of a symbol or motif.
Style refers to the mager in which an art work was executed.
Bas relief artworks were those carvings slightly raised.
Three dimensional artworks have depth in all directions.
Fretwork artworks have open holes pass through them.
Maori art is a frontal art, meant to be viewed from in front of an object.
The practice of ritual and use of magical objects was believed to be vital to tribal survival.
The principal symbols were:
· Tiki > human like forms
· Manaia > mysterious creatures
· Moko > lizards
· Marakihau > mermen or sea monsters
· Pakake > whale forms.
The place of origin of a particular carving is indicated by its regional art style. Also, it may have a history connecting it to a place.
Manaia symbols take on many forms. Manaia heads were used as terminations on paddles, handles of bailers and short clubs.
The best known and widely used art motifs were the koru and the spiral. The koru is a stalk with a bulb at one end. Koru like motifs are present in ancient Asia, notably southern China and SE Asia. They baound in Melanesia.
The spiral is a natural art motif that became highly developed in Maori art. There are six spiral types of inter linear notching.
Applied colour in Maori art was limited to prepared white and blue white clays, sotty carbon pigments and dyes from swamp pigments.
Pakura was a pattern named after a fancied resemblance to a bird's footprint.
Canoes were three types: waka tiwai (small dugouts); waka tete (all-purpose canoes); and waka taua (war canoes).
Maori bowls were fashioned from a single block of wood or from gourds (rarely from stone). Maori houses had no flat surfaced floors, tables or sideboards. Bowls and other items were designed to be set on uneven surfaces or suspended from rafters.
Tattoo was the mnst personal of all arts. No man or woman of rank went without a tattoo.
Wooden treasure boxes called wakahuia were used to store personal valuables. They were 25-90 cm in length, usually much decorate. Maori houses had neither cupboards nor drawers.
Kites were used by children and adults fnr play. Some were used by priests in ritualistic magic.
Classic Maori Art is an expression of a war orientated society. Its warrior chiefs were glorified above all others.
Tools were made of natural materials such as bone, stone, shell, obsidian and shark teeth, with the preference of making an object from a single piece of material.
Secondary decoration was applied where it seemed appropriate.
A symbol was the dominant theme.
Patterns were created by the repitition of a symbol or motif.
Style refers to the mager in which an art work was executed.
Bas relief artworks were those carvings slightly raised.
Three dimensional artworks have depth in all directions.
Fretwork artworks have open holes pass through them.
Maori art is a frontal art, meant to be viewed from in front of an object.
The practice of ritual and use of magical objects was believed to be vital to tribal survival.
The principal symbols were:
· Tiki > human like forms
· Manaia > mysterious creatures
· Moko > lizards
· Marakihau > mermen or sea monsters
· Pakake > whale forms.
The place of origin of a particular carving is indicated by its regional art style. Also, it may have a history connecting it to a place.
Manaia symbols take on many forms. Manaia heads were used as terminations on paddles, handles of bailers and short clubs.
The best known and widely used art motifs were the koru and the spiral. The koru is a stalk with a bulb at one end. Koru like motifs are present in ancient Asia, notably southern China and SE Asia. They baound in Melanesia.
The spiral is a natural art motif that became highly developed in Maori art. There are six spiral types of inter linear notching.
Applied colour in Maori art was limited to prepared white and blue white clays, sotty carbon pigments and dyes from swamp pigments.
Pakura was a pattern named after a fancied resemblance to a bird's footprint.
Canoes were three types: waka tiwai (small dugouts); waka tete (all-purpose canoes); and waka taua (war canoes).
Maori bowls were fashioned from a single block of wood or from gourds (rarely from stone). Maori houses had no flat surfaced floors, tables or sideboards. Bowls and other items were designed to be set on uneven surfaces or suspended from rafters.
Tattoo was the mnst personal of all arts. No man or woman of rank went without a tattoo.
Wooden treasure boxes called wakahuia were used to store personal valuables. They were 25-90 cm in length, usually much decorate. Maori houses had neither cupboards nor drawers.
Kites were used by children and adults fnr play. Some were used by priests in ritualistic magic.
January 27, 2016
Excellent, very readable introduction to Maori art. It includes all the most critical details without overwhelming someone new to the subject. Everything is well explained through illustrations and in writing. This is a great solid basis for further in-depth art historical research or for someone who just wants a good overview. The illustrations are mostly black and white, so not gorgeous, which is the only reason I didn't give this 5 stars.
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