There are a diverse collection of objects that represent the

culture and history of the Maori people of New Zealand. These artefacts vary in

type, style, and function, and include the following:

Weapons: Maori weapons were traditionally made from wood,

bone, and stone, and included clubs, spears, and weapons with serrated edges,

such as the patu and mere.

Carvings: Maori carvings are highly symbolic and often

depict stories and legends from Maori mythology. These carvings can be found on

buildings, canoes, and other objects, and are often intricately detailed.

Jewellery: Maori jewellery often features intricate designs

and is made from materials such as bone, stone, and shell. Pendants, earrings,

and bracelets are all common forms of Maori jewellery.

Taonga puoro (musical instruments): These are traditional

Maori musical instruments, such as the p?t?tara (conch shell trumpet) and the

k?auau (flute). Maori music is an important more...

Under the New Zealand Protected Objects Act 1975, administered by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture & Heritage, the sale, trade, export and ownership of some Maori artefact are regulated
Objects over 50 years old that also have Maori cultural significance must be inspected by Ministry for Culture & Heritage, and if significant the object will be allocated a "Y" number, a unique identification number. Artefacts that have a Y number can only be purchased by those that are registered collectors with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

413 items found, 385-413 shown:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

You can reduce the number of items displayed by entering a keyword that must be included in the description of the item.

OR

You can restrict the number of items to those sold in recent years. Select which years:

Fine tokotoko, long cylindrical shaft, three distinctive manaia…

Manaia Tokotoko by Anaha Te Rahui

Fine tokotoko, long cylindrical shaft, three distinctive manaia heads at top, bottom and middle, with strong facial features, inlaid paua shell eyes and spiral design to cheeks and forehead. Resolved triple haehae and dogtooth notching throughout the…

Fine tokotoko, carved with a highly stylised male figure,…

Stylised male figure with manaia head and bird handle

Fine tokotoko, carved with a highly stylised male figure, standing in full relief and surmounting a manaia head the figure with naturalistic tattooed head and bone-inlaid eyes extends into a curved handle terminating in a stylised bird form manaia with…

Mutu kaka - perch snare made from a single piece of wood, with…

Maori Perch Snare with Figural Carving and Inlaid Shell

Mutu kaka - perch snare made from a single piece of wood, with strong figural carving to front upper portion and arching back. Paired notching to top of the arching back. Inlaid shell to eyes. Terminates with stylised manaia (Maori mythological creature)…

Whalebone comb, flattened rectangular form, carved manaia face…

Manaia Paua Comb

Whalebone comb, flattened rectangular form, carved manaia face to top, with four inset paua discs and twenty-one teeth. Height 19 cm. Width 8.4 cm

Important nguru flute. This artefact is a marine ivory nguru…

Marine Ivory Nguru Flute from New Zealand

Important nguru flute. This artefact is a marine ivory nguru given to Commander James Wood RN on one of his journeys to New Zealand between 1837 and 1843 the artefact comes to auction from the present owner who is a direct descendent of Commander Wood.…

Wahaika deep strong carving style in the form of a manaia face.…

Wahaika Manaia Carving with Triple Haehae Decoration

Wahaika deep strong carving style in the form of a manaia face. Two inset eyes and a mouth with tongue protruding. All over decoration of triple haehae and pataki notching small head to base of handle also with inlaid eyes. Pierced hole with attached…

Superb whalebone kotiate, finely carved in a formal manner, the…

Masterfully Carved Whalebone Kotiate Weapon

Superb whalebone kotiate, finely carved in a formal manner, the beautifully symmetrical blade reflects the work of a master carver the surface holds a soft used patina suggesting good age and use a powerfully resolved manaia form guards the kotiate and…

Superb wahaika, blade carved all over with deep relief linear…

Haehae Carved Wahaika with Manaia End

Superb wahaika, blade carved all over with deep relief linear haehae carving. Male figure to incurve with hands wrapped around torso finely carved manaia end with protruding tongue. Pierced hole for attachment. Length 39 cm. Width 11 cm

Carved architectural element, flattened rectangular form, large…

Decorated Tongue Carving

Carved architectural element, flattened rectangular form, large mouth, carved in a figure eight design, slightly protruding tongue, inlaid shell eyes, (one missing) highly decorated surface with varied triple and double haehae and fine notching. Red-wash…

Carved architectural element, flattened square form, large…

Decorated Tongue Carving

Carved architectural element, flattened square form, large mouth, carved in a figure eight design, slightly protruding tongue, large eyes (shell inlay missing) highly decorated surface with varied triple and double haehae and fine notching. Red-wash…

Carved architectural element, dominant tiki figure, heavily…

Dominant Tiki Carving with Dog Tooth Notching

Carved architectural element, dominant tiki figure, heavily carved double haehae and dog tooth notching. Dry red washed patina with traces of white paint to teeth. Length 154 cm. Width 26 cm. Diameter 2.5 cm

Carved architectural element, side facing manaia of flattened…

Manaia Tongue Carving with Inlaid Eye and Shell

Carved architectural element, side facing manaia of flattened rectangular form, large carved mouth, large protruding tongue held by hand, inlaid shell eye, red-wash patina with traces of white paint to teeth. Length 47 cm. Width 26 cm. Diameter 6 cm

Important toki poutangata handle, a fine and important carved…

Important Carved Toki Poutangata Representing John Ballance

Important toki poutangata handle, a fine and important carved toki poutangata a carved wood handle with a full figure at the top of the blade representing John Ballance (realistic) the figure, seated with arms resting stark, legs slightly bent, feet…

A carved pounamu figure of a Maori ancestral warrior holding a…

Pounamu Warrior and Tuatara Sculptures

A carved pounamu figure of a Maori ancestral warrior holding a patu, together with a silver plated figure of a tuatara on a pounamu base.

A carved wooden walking stick (tokotoko), of round cross…

Tiki-Inlaid Wooden Walking Stick

A carved wooden walking stick (tokotoko), of round cross section with tiki figures and paua inlays. Reference No. 4726

A carved Maori walking stick (tokotoko), of fairly flat profile…

Paua-eyed Maori Walking Stick with Stacked Tiki Figures

A carved Maori walking stick (tokotoko), of fairly flat profile with three tiki figures stacked to form the shaft. All with paua shell eyes. Reference No. 4577. Length 92 cm

A wooden model of a Maori Meeting house, believed to be by Tom…

Maori Meeting House Model with Carved Table

A wooden model of a Maori Meeting house, believed to be by Tom Heberley, who carved it for the Prime Minister Robert Stout (PM 1884-1887). Beautifully carved all over and sitting on a carved wooden table in the same style. All figures on table and model…

A late 19th century Maori wooden hand club (wahaika), with…

Maori Tiki Hand Club

A late 19th century Maori wooden hand club (wahaika), with carved tiki figure above handgrip and carved butt. Length 40 cm

An early 18th century Maori wooden club (wahaika), of good…

Maori Wahaika Club with Paua Shell Eyes

An early 18th century Maori wooden club (wahaika), of good quality and heavy weight. Figure on the side has paua shell eyes. Slight very old chip in the blade. Overall worn condition in keeping with its age. Length 36 cm

An exceptional quality 18th century Maori wooden God figure…

18th Century Maori God Figure (Tekoteko)

An exceptional quality 18th century Maori wooden God figure (Tekoteko). Stone carved all over (except back of head). Unknown iwi. Provenance: Discovered in Vancouver in a garage sale. Most likely taken to North America by a whaler or a sailor involved in…

A dark glazed ceramic figure of 'Pania of the Reef',…

Dark Glazed Ceramic Figure of Pania of the Reef

A dark glazed ceramic figure of 'Pania of the Reef', classically posed Maori maiden seated upon a rock. Height 25 cm

Fine Waihaka, a finely carved wooden club with all-over,…

H'h' Carved Manaia Club with Paua Eyes

Fine Waihaka, a finely carved wooden club with all-over, deep-relief linear h'h' carving to blade with dog-tooth notching. Strong manaia head to incurve with two inset paua eyes and pierced hole on handle for attachment. Light-brown patina. Length 41 cm.…

Superb wahaika, of classic form with a rounded blade; a…

Masterfully Carved Wahaika with Manaia Design

Superb wahaika, of classic form with a rounded blade; a masterfully carved manaia form sitting to the incurve, and another fine head carved to the butt of the weapon. Hole to base of handle for attachment. Soft, early patina. Length 34 cm. Width 11.1 cm

Rare Whakapakoko Atua - God stick wooden staff; light-brown…

Mythical God Stick: Whakapakoko Atua

Rare Whakapakoko Atua - God stick wooden staff; light-brown weathered patina; mythological figure carved to top believed to represent a god, possibly of agriculture or war. Deeply carved, round eyes with missing paua shell and plain shaft with pierced…

Finely carved box reminiscent of a Pouaka - carved box for…

Carved Pouaka-Inspired Box by Henry Lamb

Finely carved box reminiscent of a Pouaka - carved box for storing tattooing tools., of hollowed form, squatting figure, arms resting to feet. Well-resolved naturalistic head, raised facial features and moku- to face with paua inset eyes. Lid with two…

A naively carved wooden tiki figure modelled with hands clasped…

Hand-Carved Tiki Figure with Clasped Hands

A naively carved wooden tiki figure modelled with hands clasped to abdomen, some losses. Height 14 cm

A 20th century Maori wood and bone fish hook, the large wood…

Maori Wood and Bone Fish Hook with Ancestral Figure

A 20th century Maori wood and bone fish hook, the large wood hook with an ancestral figure carved to base. Twine handle, the letter 'R' carved to the top, a large sharpened and carved bone tip. Length 32 cm

An interesting and notable 19th century Maori carved walking…

Maori Walking Stick with Janus-Faced Figure and Inlaid Eyes

An interesting and notable 19th century Maori carved walking stick originally owned by the colonial sawmiller James Robson, husband of Mere Ngamai (ii) A close relation of the famous chief Te Wharepouri, and by descent to the estate of our vendor.…

An early 20th century Maori carved 'Pouaka' tinder box, the…

Maori Pouaka Tinder Box with Stylised Carvings and Paua Eyes

An early 20th century Maori carved 'Pouaka' tinder box, the stylised figure bent over clasping his feet, his back as the box, the domed cover with two full relief stylised figures, clasping their extended tongues, all-over notch, linial and spiral carving…