Page:Pounamu, notes on New Zealand greenstone (IA pounamunotesonne00robl).djvu/70

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66
POUNAMU.

A comparison of this very remarkable tiki with the illustration of the three pieces of jade in Figure 42 shews quite plainly that the original intention to make it of the A type. For the illustration of the partially formed ornaments proves that the first cuts in the greenstone were those that outlined

The beginnings of carving a greenstone tiki. The pieces on the right and left have the partially formed legs and arms. The middle piece has the beginnings of the head.
Figure 42

the legs and arms. This point appears to be emphasised by the drawing in the middle of Figure 42, where the beginnings of the work upon the head prove that though the Maori artists were not always particular to finish the lower part of their figures first, they began work on the limbs with a clear intention as to the type to which the figure was to belong.