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Stilt Step (tapuvae)

Location

FRENCH POLYNESIA, MARQUESAS ISLANDS

Culture

Te ‘Enana

Title

Stilt Step (tapuvae)

Date

Early 19th c.

Materials

Wood

Dimensions

39.3 x 6.5 x 10.7 cm

Credits

Gift of F. Cleveland Morgan, inv. 1949.Pc.13

Collection

Archeology and World Cultures

Tapuvae were used for jousts on stilts during funeral rites honouring important members of society. In the nineteenth century, some tapuvae were made for merchants, whalers, and other visiting Europeans for whom these objects were both exotically attractive and easily transportable.

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