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Sidestep: D'Urville Artefacts
D'Urville Island Artefact
Fig. 21 represents a human figure in soapstone from D'Urville Island. The suspension hole has been cut, not drilled. The style is what is usually described as “late,” or “typically Maori,” a style which, in the South Island, appears to be most strongly represented in the Nelson province. Duff states that soapstone occurs in the mineral belt, adjacent to baked argelite, at D'Urville Island and elsewhere in Nelson province.
This talc figurine, 82 mm high and 12 to 14 mm thick, was found near Patuki, D'Urville Island, in January 1968 by J. R. Eyles. The stone is very pale green talc which would have been found locally in serpentine deposits. The figure is carved in profile with hand under chin. Buttock and leg have incised carving based on a spiral design. Association with an amulet made from human jaw bone suggests a late date for the site (SS, 6/49) which has been virtually obliterated by sea erosion.
Soapstone figure D’Urville island from the Otago Musuem
Manaia head at proximal end on side view, decorated with single koru spiral on left thigh with bent knee turned in to foot placed over other leg and foot. When turned on head a manaia figure features on right foot, leg turns into neck with thigh koru serving both figures. Chip in right shoulder. Suspensory knob on head. Eyes and mouth indicated, one foot and a foot or elbow. Grey and lightly polished. Maximum dimensions (H x W x D): 45 x 28 x 8mm
I have highlighted the photo to bring out the carving detail a little more
Below are three more artefacts...
A:- Bird-headed man in profile with chin resting on hand, of polished light brown soapstone. Perforations in left proximal corner for eye, and between fingers and thumb. Arm separate from body. Neck and buttocks, wrist and nose defined front and back. Vertical marks on waist. Buttocks and back tattooed. Grooves indicating two separate legs on edges. Maximum dimensions (H x W x D): 44 x 18 x 7mm
B:- Anthropomorphic bird-headed man in profile. Light green soapstone. Suspensory knob, perforated for eye. Chin resting on hand. Kneeling or standing. Maximum dimensions (H x W x D): 33 x 17 x 4mm
C:- Sandstone pendant, figure-head of fishing canoe. Eyes, nose, mouth and moko shown. Two attempts at perforation, one of which was completed. Depression in right edge. Burnt. Maximum dimensions (H x W x D): 55 x 40 x 23mm
All the above are based on notes from various journals or from museums that have these artefacts from D'Urville Island. It is interesting one describes figure B as a birdheaded figure as my impression is if the hole by which to suspend it was not there, the figures form changes. However, each of these items are unusual, archaic, and the fact they were sandstone and soapstone, not argilite or greenstone, seems to suggest they belong to the original designs of the first inhabitants Maori met here as they arrived.
