Featured Carving Origins ?

My father brought this back from his 18 month around the world voyage with Irving Johnson aboard 'Yankee' in 1938. They went many places rarely visited by Westerners...East & West coast of Africa...many islands in the East Indies & other locals. Any ideas ?

 

It is a 'Moai Kavakava' from Easter Island. There is more info in this thread:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/c...ts-going-on-with-his-torso.21827/#post-294475

 

Thank you Any Jewelry, they did indeed go to Easter Island !

 

It sounds like a very interesting voyage, he must have had some great stories.

 

Yes, he sailed extensively in the 30s to 50's and was quit well known (Google Sterling Hayden). He was first mate on this around the world voyage. The book 'Sailing to See' by Irving Johnson, 1939, has many photographs of these cultures.... a fantastic book.

 

http://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/archived_objects/easter-island-moai-kavakava/

OK, Drew.....there's some serious money here... if...
you can link it to your Dads trip..
it was found on easter island..and not chile or peru...or the mainland..
it's the right wood...

The time frame is right for early reproductions....but from your pics I see it as possibly more 50's than 30's.......
You'll need an expert to have this in hand.....

 

I remember him, and now I recognize your avatar picture, nice.

 

can we see the spines on the back.....a clear shot of the face.....and it's size ???
PLEASE....

 

I remember your dad from movies, too. It sounds like he had a really interesting life!

 

Stands 24 inches tall, It came back with him in 1938, face & spine photos.

 

I'm fine with a 1938 date for this moai, and it is after all the date he acquired it.

Pedro Pate, who is mentioned in the Michael Backman link, was a master carver who may not even have been carving in 1938. Other Easter Islanders carved moai as well, tourism and souvenirs provided just about the only income.
Most carvers were not as good as Pate.

I'd give it an oil rub.

 

Komo, what does the spine on souvenir moai indicate?
Here is the spine on mine, bought in 1974:

 

I am not real familiar with South American woods, but it looks like this was carved from a fairly small diameter log. The lighter sapwood is visible on his back and again on his nose and chin, while the dark heartwood is visible on his head and chest. So Might be a clue for identifying the wood used. You would be looking for a dark hearted wood that is relatively easy to carve.

 

Like I said , I'm no book learned expert...but I've held a few of these.
I like to use the spine to tell me about age and finesse of the carving.
Notice that yours and Drew's has a somewhat similar treatment...but your ribs and shoulders are much finer.
Read Tribals take on this one....which they say is the same 30's age.

There are many of these tourist carvings out there...as opposed to the authentic ones carved when Easter Island still had trees.
It can get confusing to put an exact age.....but I still feel Drew's is more 50's than 30's.

http://www.tribalmania.com/EASTERISLANDMOAI.htm

 

Interesting thread.

 

Gen. Jack D. Ripper ! ..... loved him in that movie !

 

Dr Strangelove, great movie.

 

Drew.....I hear ya when you say ....It came back with him in 1938.....
I'm just having some trouble with that...... just me !

 

I can be sure it's not 1950's because it was acquired in 1938 when my father was was first mate on 'Yankee' when they circumnavigated the globe (18 months). Not when they were on Easter Island in this photo, but with a Rennell islander, same voyage. (from Irving Johnson's book 'Sailing to See' about the trip.

 

I always assumed the finesse of the carving depended on the skill of the carver. I bought mine in a shop in Tahiti that sold souvenirs from different parts of the central and eastern Pacific. They had several, and I assume they were all fairly new, so made in 1973-74.

Nice link, thanks.