A black oil-like slick has been poured around one of the British Museum's statues by activists urging the attraction to dump its sponsorship by BP.
The targeted relic, Hoa Hakananai'a, is a giant carving of a human head and torso and dates from around 1000 AD.
The protest group, called Culture Beyond Oil, said in a statement that they had chosen the object because it "represents the way in which civilisations once considered invincible can collapse in a short period of time".
They said the five activists who took part, their faces clad in black veils, were careful not to pour the "non-toxic" substance on the sculpture, which stands on a plinth as part of the museum's Living and Dying-themed display.
The name of the four-ton statue means "stolen or hidden friend".
The figure was collected by the crew of the English ship HMS Topaze during a visit to Easter Island in the 19th century.
One of the protesters said: "Institutions such as the British Museum are amongst the most valuable assets that this country has, but their worldwide reputation is being tarnished by the sponsorship deal with BP."
The devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill has led campaigners to step up their opposition with protests targeting London institutions backed by BP.
Culture Beyond Oil is calling for such organisations to sever their ties with oil companies and is demanding greater transparency over funding.
Last month saw a similar protest at Tate Britain, whose summer party was disrupted when an oil-like substance and feathers were thrown.
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