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Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu)

New Georgia Island (?)

late 19th–early 20th century

Not on view

Canoes in the western Solomon Islands were essential to transportation, fishing, and warfare. In former times, they were lavishly adorned. The centerpiece of the prow was a distinctive figurehead, known variously as a nguzu nguzu, musu musu, or toto isu. Attached at the waterline so that it dipped in the sea as the canoe rode the waves, the figurehead reportedly served as a supernatural protector, ensuring safe passage and a successful expedition. The images are typically busts depicted with large heads wearing circular ear ornaments and small arms with the hands raised to the chin or clasping a head or bird. The jutting jaws of the images were reportedly attributes of spirits, and nguzu nguzu are sometimes said to depict, or
afford protection from, dangerous sea spirits called kesoko.

Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu), Wood, paint, shell, New Georgia Island (?) — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu), Wood, paint, shell, New Georgia Island (?)

Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu), Wood, paint, shell, New Georgia Island (?)

Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu), Wood, paint, shell, New Georgia Island (?)

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Left

Title: Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu)

Date: late 19th–early 20th century

Geography: Solomon Islands, New Georgia Island possibly, Western province

Culture: New Georgia Island (?)

Medium: Wood, paint, shell

Dimensions: H. 5 1/4 × W. 2 1/4 × D. 3 3/4 in. (13.3 × 5.7 × 9.5 cm)

Classification: Wood-Sculpture

Credit Line: Gift of Morris J. Pinto, 1976

Accession Number: 1976.351

Chronology

Melanesia, 1800-1900 A.D.

Chronology

Melanesia, 1900 A.D.-present

Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 12, The Pacific Islands, Africa, and the Americas

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 12, The Pacific Islands, Africa, and the Americas

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The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Met

The Met's collection of art of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America comprises more than eleven thousand works of art of varied materials and types, representing diverse cultural traditions from as early as 3000 B.C.E. to the present.