Rare Samoan Tattoo Guide Wood Figure CIRCA 1900 Small
A truly amazing rare wood figure of Samoan origin, circa 1900, hand-crafted from wood and hand-painted with traditional Samoan tattoos. Probably used as a guide/model for Samoan tattoo artists.
Great detail and paint work of the tattoo.
Dimensions: 180mm (H) x 50mm (Wide at base)
About Traditional Samoan Tattooing:
" The Pe'a is the popular name of the traditional male tatau (tattoo) of Samoa, also known as the malofie. The pe'a covers the body from waist to the knees. The word tattoo in the English language is believed to have originated from the Polynesian word tatau. The tatau process for the pe'a is extremely painful, and undertaken by tufuga ta tatau (master tattooists), using a set of handmade tools pieces of bone, turtle shell and wood. The tufuga ta tatau are revered masters in Samoan society. In Samoan custom, a pe'a is only done the traditional way, with aspects of cultural ceremony and ritual, and have a strong meaning for the one who receives it. Overall, the design is symmetrical with a black pattern consisting mainly of straight lines and larger blocks of dark cover, usually around the thighs.Traditional Samoan tattooing is an ordeal that is not lightly undergone. It takes many weeks to complete, is very painful and used to be a necessary prerequisite to receiving a matai title; this however is no longer the case. Tattooing was also a very costly procedure, the tattooer receiving in the region of 700 fine mats as payment. Women also received tattoos, although their designs are of a much lighter nature, resembling a filigree rather than having the large areas of solid dye which are frequently seen in men's tattoos. " -Wikipedia
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