Hori Paraone's Folk Art Tiki Head

Folk art tiki by Hori Paraone Strongly carved tiki head with open mouth and long protruding tongue, large circular eyes over painted with red, white and black. Weathered patina to back, with evidence of attachment to a larger structure. Reference: Hori Paraone, the celebrated folk art carver of Kawakawa, Auckland was born at the turn of the 20th century and was tribally connected with Te Arawa. He was a highly regarded orator and expert in traditional Maori history and culture. Pataone began carving relatively late in life and his first important undertaking with the Maori church at Kawakawa Bay. Maori folk art, Alan Taylor, Publisher, century Hutchinson, 1988, pp 67 - 70. Length 46 cm. Width 19.5 cm. Depth 5.5 cm