Door Lintel (Pare)

Texto del museo

In the past, a lintel (pare) was placed over the entryway of Māori meeting houses, which are sacred structures. Thus, the visitor passed under the lintel’s central deity figure, often a female but here of unclear sex. To either side is an animal-like guardian spirit (manaia) shown in profile and facing outward; look for the feet grasping the lintel’s borders. Two guardian spirits (manaia) flank the central deity figure of this lintel (pare).

Descripción original del museo, en inglés. Licencia: CC0