Three Moai sculptures, wood, tuff stone and Combarbalit, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), family heirloom - Rapanui Moai Maea - Chile (No reserve price)

Consolidation of three characterful Moai representations in different materials and executions. Two of the figures were reportedly acquired immediately from the family estate on Easter Island.

1. Wooden Moai – approx. 1970s to early 1980s

Particularly expressive, hand-carved Moai figure made from brown wood, possibly Miro Tahiti (Melia azedarach), a wood type frequently used in traditional Easter Island craft.

The sculpture is notable for its strong, almost archaic facial design. The markedly pronounced, angular nose, the narrow, elongated ears, the strong chin, and the head tilted markedly backward stand out.

The clear, powerful line work gives the figure an unusually plastically expressive effect. The visible wood grain, natural irregularities and working traces emphasize its craft character.

The figure originates from the Easter Island family estate and was purchased in the 1970s to early 1980s.

On the underside there are handwritten notes by the buyer at the time. These are not an artist’s signature but a personal remark.

Material: wood, presumably Miro Tahiti, not botanically identified.

2. Moai made of volcanic tuff – approx. 1990s

Characterful Moai sculpture made of porous, gray-brown volcanic rock, presumably tuff.

The figure was purchased in the 1990s during an island round trip on Rapa Nui at a craft stall.

Its rough, open-pored surface and restrained, original form recall the volcanic rock of the monumental historic Moai of Easter Island.

Particularly characteristic are the strong nose, the pronounced mouth area, the side ears and the compact body with suggested arms.

The deliberately simple finish underscores the archaic impression of the sculpture.

Height: approx. 11 cm

Weight: approx. 240 g

Material: volcanic tuff

Origin: Easter Island, Chile

Acquisition time: 1990s

3. Moai made of pink Combarbalite

Decorative, meticulously worked Moai sculpture made of pink-brown Combarbalite, a gemstone typical of Chilean craft.

The figure is characterized by its elegant, elongated silhouette and its distinctive side profile. Notable are the precisely worked-out nose, the characteristic ears, the angular chin and the stylized arms.

The natural color variation of the stone shows appealing nuances between pink, beige and warm brown.

The smooth, partly polished surface brings out the fine texture and the characteristic color of the stone particularly well.

The figure stands on a rectangular stone base.

Height: approx. 12 cm

Weight: approx. 225 g

Material designation: Combarbalit (not mineralogically tested)

The three figures come from the family estate and are offered exclusively as a lot.
The dimensions (height, depth, width, weight) in the general overview are average values. Exact specifications can be found under the respective Moai figures.