Canoe Prow Figurehead (nguzunguzu or toto isu)

Culture: Solomon Islands artist
Date: mid- to late 19th century
Material: Wood, parinarium resin, nautilus shell, glass
from: Solomon Islands, Oceania
Classification: Sculpture, wood
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 10 1/4 x 5 1/16 x 6 11/16 in. (26 x 12.8 x 17 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Morton D. May
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 65:1977

- 1972
Roberta M. Nochimson Associates, New York, NY, USA

1972 - 1977
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Roberta M. Nochimson Associates [1]

1977 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]

Notes:
[1] An invoice dated October 7, 1972 from Roberta M. Nochimson Associates to Morton D. May documents the purchase of this object, listed as "Canoe Prow Ornament, Solomon Is." [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].

[2] A letter dated March 1, 1977 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 14, 1977.

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