carving

Carved figure. This carved figure may have been modelled on Maori tiki figures or Hawaiian Ku figures. The figure itself is not Tongan, but it is likely made by Tongan carvers for the tourist trade. They are made by Tongan carvers in Tonga or based in Hawaii for the tourist market. This particular figure was popular in the 70s-90s and was often carved into figures like this one or smaller sized as earrings or pendants. It is carved from one block of wood and polished with a varnish for a shiny finish.