Wood carving - Turtle (TT13-1)

Handmade sculpture from the island of Ua Huka of the Marquesas Islands.
Carved from Oceanic rosewood (Miro). Each piece is unique. (TT13-1)

The turtle
The turtle, Honu in tahitian, is a strong symbol of French Polynesia. It is quoted in many legends by the ancestors of the islands. Considered as a holy animal, the turtle is venerated by Polynesians. It is an important creature throughout all Polynesian cultures and has been associated with several meanings. They symbolise health, fertility, longevity in life, foundation, peace and rest.

The Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands are located in the north of the South Pacific about 1400 km of Tahiti. They form the Marquesas archipelago which is one of the five archipelagos of French Polynesia. Craftsmanship occupies an essential place there and Marquis sculptors are recognized among the best of Oceania and the world. Their preferred materials are wood, stone and bone. To make their wood sculptures, they mainly use noble woods such as the miro (rosewood of Oceania) or the Tou (walnut of Oceania).