Hawaiian Territorial Seal Sculpture

Hawaiian Territorial Seal Sculpture

Hawaii
Military
Militarisation
World War 2

This is a white marble sculpture, 3ft by 3ft by 10 inch in size. It is located at the Queen Lili’uokalani Building in Honolulu, Hawaii having been authorised in August 1949 and installed on 20/1/1950. It shows two figures guarding a crest that is engraved with the Territory of Hawaii motto. On the left, a male figure represents an ancient King of Hawaii whilst the female figure on the right represents patriotism. This figure looks similar to the Statue of Liberty and holds an American Flag. Along the top of the sculpture, it reads ‘Territory of Hawaii 1900’. The motto on the bottom of the sculpture translates as ‘The Life is Preserved in Righteousness’. The sculpture is similar to the official Seal of Hawaii, designated in 1959, but as it was made before, it can suggest the connection two nations and influence of America in the new territory through annexation.

Roy. E. King

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Art Inventories Catalog

https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&uri=full=3100001~!425091~!0#focus

Installed 20 January 1950

Gabriella Thurbin

Smithsonian American Art Museum, control number 78590040

English

Material Object - stone Sculpture

20th century Hawai'i