This world-famous sculpture is a unique figure in Polynesian art. An image of an ancestral god, A’a was created before 1821 on the Rurutu island. Thirty dynamic figures cover its body, and its masterful construction indicates that its hollow interior once contained something of great cultural significance. The research conducted prior to the upcoming exhibition revealed a small red feather trapped inside the statue and encouraged the curators to begin a series of scientific tests available to previous generations. Their discoveries regarding the meaning and function of A’a are published here for the first time.

Since its arrival at the museum in 1890, A’a has inspired visitors both for its dramatic history and its craftsmanship. The missionary John Williams saved the statue from burning but met an unfortunate end during his work. The sculpture caused a sensation when it arrived in England and inspired artists and poets for decades – Picasso was so impressed that he requested a copy to be made for him. A’a is an idol in every sense of the word, and this book aims to inspire a new audience with its story.