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How were Maori war canoes decorated in the 18th century?
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Oceanic art and architecture
An Aboriginal Australian decorating a tightly woven dilly bag with white, yellow, and ochre (red) paints, Northern Territory, Australia, 1948.
In the 18th century, communal Maori war canoes—which could reach up to 100 feet in length—were considered the most prestigious works of art and were lavishly decorated with carving and painting.1
The decoration typically featured the following elements:
- Prow: An attached carving featured a figure leaning forward with its arms stretched behind it. A thin panel of openwork spirals connected this figure to a transverse slab, which held another figure in a squatting position looking down the length of the canoe.1
- Stern: The sternpost consisted of a high vertical slat decorated with openwork scrolls and a small figure seated at the base.1
- Hull: Additional figures were carved in relief along the hull, sometimes featuring eyes inlaid with mother-of-pearl.1
- Color and Ornamentation: The entire canoe was painted red and accented with black-and-white details. Feather streamers were hung from the sternpost to complete the decoration.1