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.

18 items found:

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

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…

Maori Tattooing Instrument. A very rare and fine instrument…

Maori Tattoo Tool with Spiral Design and Bone Prongs

Maori Tattooing Instrument. A very rare and fine instrument with a cylindrical wooden shaft adorned with fine spiral design carved into the end leading to a flattened rectangular top also finely carved with double haehae lines and dog-tooth notching. The…

Rare tattooing bowl. Very rare tattooing pigment bowl fashioned…

Rare Tattoo Pigment Bowl with Tiki Head Design

Rare tattooing bowl. Very rare tattooing pigment bowl fashioned from a root ball, the naturally bent handle leads to a carved bowl with haehae and pataki designs and is highlighted with an abstracted tiki head with a protruding spilt tongue. Rich mid…

Rare 19th century Oko Ngarahu carved tattoo pigment pot, the…

19th Century Oko Ngarahu Tattoo Pigment Pot with Figure

Rare 19th century Oko Ngarahu carved tattoo pigment pot, the bowl supported by figure with rauponga notching to right arm, head with moko and top knot (damage to left side), on stand, length 17 cm

An old Maori uhi (chisel), the oval section wooden shaft with…

Maori Uhi Chisel with Pounamu Blade and Spike

An old Maori uhi (chisel), the oval section wooden shaft with lineal and notch cut detail, a serrated and notch cut small pounamu blade lashed to one end, a wooden spike to the other. Length 7.8 cm. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.

19th century or earlier pounamu uhi (tattoo chisel) rectangular…

Antique Pounamu Tattoo Chisel with Serrated Blade

19th century or earlier pounamu uhi (tattoo chisel) rectangular form with tapering serrated blade. Length 6.5 cm. Provenance: Purchased Dunbar Sloane Ltd, lot 169, January 1972.

A quality Folk Art Maori stem post, carved in traditional style…

Maori Stem Post with Traditional Carving

A quality Folk Art Maori stem post, carved in traditional style with incised facial tattoo, hands across the belly, bent knee stance and paua shell eyes. Northland - purchased 1971, height 53 cm.

A mid/late-20th century quality Maori carved stylised figure,…

Maori Carved Stylised Figure with Blue Tattoo Decoration

A mid/late-20th century quality Maori carved stylised figure, the fine incised tattoo type decoration highlighted with blue, hands clasped to front, genitals evident. Rotorua school, height 60.5 cm.

A late 20th century Maori carved korere (feeding funnel),…

Maori Korere Feeding Funnel with Mask Decoration

A late 20th century Maori carved korere (feeding funnel), tapered circular form with relief mask decoration and paua disc inserts. Length 13.5 cm. Note: the korere was used for the feeding of important men during a tattooing ceremony 'ta moko', it was…

A small colonial kauri gum bust, in the form of a Maori warrior,…

Maori Warrior Kauri Gum Bust

A small colonial kauri gum bust, in the form of a Maori warrior, full face tattoo, wearing feather cloak and holding a mere, painted detail to face, hair and mere. Some old damage. 13 cm x 15 cm.

A small colonial kauri gum bust, in the form of a Maori woman,…

Colonial Kauri Gum Maori Woman Bust

A small colonial kauri gum bust, in the form of a Maori woman, with traditional chin tattoo, old painted detail to face and hair. Some old chipping to base. 7 cm x 10 cm.

Collection four bone 18/19th century uhi (tattoo implement), 5.…

Antique Bone Uhi Tattoo Implements Collection

Collection four bone 18/19th century uhi (tattoo implement), 5.6 cm to 3 cm

A Dominion Museum Education service Maori tattooing box, the…

Maori Tattooing Education Set with Replica Tools and Mask

A Dominion Museum Education service Maori tattooing box, the presentation cabinet fitted to the interior with a replica mahoe (wooden mallet) uhi (chisel) and pigment pot, together with a cast tattooed mask, a copy of the cast mask made in Rotorua in 1853…

A cast bronze tekoteko. Hands clasped to abdomen, traditional…

Bronze Tekoteko with Traditional Tattoo

A cast bronze tekoteko. Hands clasped to abdomen, traditional incised tattoo to body. Height 35 cm, width 10 cm, depth 7 cm

Two bone uhi Matarau (serrated tattooing chisels). Provenance:…

Serrated Tattooing Chisels - Bone Uhi Matarau Pair

Two bone uhi Matarau (serrated tattooing chisels). Provenance: field collection. 4.4 cm, 4.3 cm length.

A Whakairo Rakau, Aotearoa. This whakairo rakau consists of a…

Te Arawa Whakairo Rakau with Rare Heni-Ruru Depiction

A Whakairo Rakau, Aotearoa. This whakairo rakau consists of a smooth cylindrical body, fine carving and original lashings with carvings reminiscent of a Whakapakoko rakau or god stick. The top is decorated with a carving style known from the Te Arawa…

Te Maniatutu Tanenuiarangi. The poupou carved panel, is made…

Te Maniatutu Tanenuiarangi Carved Poupou Panel

Te Maniatutu Tanenuiarangi. The poupou carved panel, is made from a single piece of wood. It depicts a standing figure with hands resting at the stomach. The figure has inlaid paua shell eyes and wears a heitiki around his neck. The figures face, arms,…

Te Maniatutu Tanenui. This poupou carved panel, is made from a…

Te Maniatutu Tanenui Carved Poupou Panel

Te Maniatutu Tanenui. This poupou carved panel, is made from a single piece of wood. It depicts a standing figure with hands resting at the stomach. The figure has inlaid paua shell eyes. The figures face, arms, legs, and chest have incised designs…