Roof Finial
The Kanak peoples of New Caledonia were formerly ruled by hereditary chiefs, who held secular authority and embodied the supernatural power of village ancestors. In the past and, to some extent, today, chief's houses formed the physical and metaphysical centers of Kanak villages and sculptors created a variety of architectural carvings to adorn them.
The high conical roofs were crowned by carved finials, such as the present work, representing ancestors and other supernatural beings. These finial sculptures consist either of stylized geometric forms or more naturalistic anthropomorphic figures. Anthropomorphic finials, such as this one, were typically carved with slender torsos and enlarged heads surmounted by a long, protruding spire. The spire in this work has been lost, but in its original form would have been adorned with shells, adding to the value and prestige of the image. The treatment of the facial features, with their prominent nose and protruding eyes, is typical of that seen in other forms of Kanak wood sculpture, such as doorboards and masks.
The high conical roofs were crowned by carved finials, such as the present work, representing ancestors and other supernatural beings. These finial sculptures consist either of stylized geometric forms or more naturalistic anthropomorphic figures. Anthropomorphic finials, such as this one, were typically carved with slender torsos and enlarged heads surmounted by a long, protruding spire. The spire in this work has been lost, but in its original form would have been adorned with shells, adding to the value and prestige of the image. The treatment of the facial features, with their prominent nose and protruding eyes, is typical of that seen in other forms of Kanak wood sculpture, such as doorboards and masks.
Artwork Details
- Title: Roof Finial
- Date: 19th–early 20th century
- Geography: New Caledonia, Canala commune
- Culture: Kanak people
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: H. 77 1/2 in. × W. 17 in. × D. 6 in. (196.9 × 43.2 × 15.2 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Sculpture
- Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
- Object Number: 1979.206.1451
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Kanak people
mid to late 19th century
Kanak people
19th century
Kanak people
19th century
Kanak people
mid to late 19th century
Maori people, Te Arawa
1820s
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.