Artwork Information

This hand carved Hei Tiki by an unknown artist carver belonged to a collection of taonga Māori including, Hei Tiki, kākahu, korowai, and taiaha, owned by New Zealand painter Charles Frederick Goldie (1870-1947) to adorn his models. This taonga appears in several of his portrait paintings and photographs from around the 1930’s, including works in the collection of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Hei are things that hang around the neck, such as a scarf and Tiki is the name of the one who in some narratives was the first man created, while in other narratives, Tiki created the first man. Hei Tiki can represent a family member alive or passed on who remains close to the heart.