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Issue date : June 26 of 2004
 See associated stamps issue
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Art in the old times was closely related to social structures and religious beliefs. The materials used were rock, coral, shark teeth, bones and especially wood. It is extremely rare, nowadays, to find an object of remote times. Arts and crafts today are rooted in ancestral practices which remain unforgettable. Craftsmen still carve on wood, propose plaited items, and make small jewellery. Today’s philatelic issue proposes an overview of the arts and crafts of the Polynesian archipelagos focusing mainly on plaiting or braiding, and sculpture. Plaiting: From time immemorial the Polynesians have excelled in this art which required only materials provided by plants around: coconut palms (niau), coconut fibres (nape), pandanus leaves (fara), purau bark… Making sewn bindings was essential in a society in which metal was unknown. The framework, the elements of a canoe or the handle of a tool were maintained by braided coconut fibre bindings (nape) for example… But braiding or plaiting also refers to peue, those ornamental mats, which may also be used for a relaxing nap. It also refers to the elegant art of hat making which makes our islands famous. Carving: Artistic carvings of frescos or inlay works of ox bones, mother-of-pearl, green snail or green turban, ox horn and pieces of wood of various colours are characteristic of artisanal creation in Polynesian furniture. The furniture is made with local or imported wood. Sculptures often reflect Polynesian tales and legends, or sources of the imagination or inspiration of craftsmen. Made of mother-of-pearl or wood, they delight us and make us dream…
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| Unit price: 620 FCFP (5,2 €) |
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