Roof Finial
- Culture
- Kanak artist
- Date
- mid-19th century
- Material
- Wood, pigment
- from
- New Caledonia, France, Oceania
- Classification
- Architectural elements, wood
- Collection
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 106
- Dimensions
- 66 9/16 x 12 3/16 x 2 15/16 in. (169 x 31 x 7.5 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 74:1977
NOTES
The slender, attenuated form of this roof finial was one of the most visible elements of a grand chief’s house, which stood majestically at the end of the long, central village pathway. The finial was essential in establishing the chief’s residence as the most notable structure in a village. With its pointed form appearing to intersect the sky, the roof finial was considered the “face” of the chief’s house. Originating from the chief’s residence, his proclamations would circulate along the village’s central pathway, much as gifts do during grand ceremonial exchanges.
Provenance
- 1973
Maurice Bonnefoy (1920-1999), Paris, France
1973 - 1977
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA, purchased from Maurice Bonnefoy [1]
1977 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated October 23, 1973 from Maurice Bonnefoy to Morton D. May documents the purchase of this object, listed as "#2884 / Go mwe ridge decoration (roof terminal); wood, reddish brown surface, with remnants of crusty brown pigment; New Caledonia" [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.
Maurice Bonnefoy (1920-1999), Paris, France
1973 - 1977
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA, purchased from Maurice Bonnefoy [1]
1977 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated October 23, 1973 from Maurice Bonnefoy to Morton D. May documents the purchase of this object, listed as "#2884 / Go mwe ridge decoration (roof terminal); wood, reddish brown surface, with remnants of crusty brown pigment; New Caledonia" [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.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.