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.

38 items found:

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

Mid/late 20th century Maori carved tekoteko tall figure free…

Mid/late 20th century Maori carved tekoteko tall figure free standing. Purchased in Las Vegas c.1990's from a thrift shop by our vendor, height 48 cm.

Three early 20th century Maori carved tekoteko figures by Henry…

Three early 20th century Maori carved tekoteko figures by Henry Evan Lloyd, each stylised figure with one hand clasping it's lower jaw, the other clasping it's wrist. Paua inserts, height 39 cm. Note: Henry Evan Lloyd, architect and builder from manaia…

A New Zealand historically important early 20th century Maori…

A New Zealand historically important early 20th century Maori carved small table by Henry Evan Lloyd, the top carved with multiple figures and masks radiating from a central design, paua insert highlights, plain border. Raised on four carved tekoteko type…

A mid/late 20th century Maori carved folk Art tekoteko figure…

A mid/late 20th century Maori carved folk Art tekoteko figure on wooden base with 'Kiaora' carved to front, height 27 cm.

An impressive late 19th century carved ngati tarawhai model…

Late 19th Century Carved Ngati Tarawhai Model Pataka Showcase

An impressive late 19th century carved ngati tarawhai model Pataka (Storehouse). The paepae carved with wheku heads and manaia. The amo carved with ancestral figures with paua shell eyes. The mahi with interweaving koru designs in low relief terminating…

Early 20th century tekoteko figure (gable figure), the figure…

Early 20th century tekoteko figure (gable figure), the figure with hands placed to abdomen. Painted in red ochre with ta moko highlighted in white, height 79 cm

A folk art tekoteko, carved from wood. Depicting a figure with…

Tekoteko with Clasped Hands and Long Tongue

A folk art tekoteko, carved from wood. Depicting a figure with hands clasped at the stomach and a long extending tongue. With one remaining paua shell eye, height 17.7 cm, width 7.5 cm, depth 5 cm

A New Zealand folk art tekoteko, carved from kauri wood.…

Kauri Wood Tekoteko with Paua Shell Eyes

A New Zealand folk art tekoteko, carved from kauri wood. Depicting a freestanding figure with hands at chest. With pauashell eyes, height 16.4 cm, width 7 cm, depth 4.7 cm

A New Zealand folk art tekoteko, carved from wood. Depicting a…

Paua-eyed tekoteko figure

A New Zealand folk art tekoteko, carved from wood. Depicting a figure with hands at the stomach and a long extending tounge. With pauashell inlay eyes. Coloured black, height 16.5 cm, width 5.8 cm, depth 3.5 cm

Te Maniatutu Ruamoko. This tekoteko free-standing figure is…

Te Maniatutu Ruamoko Figure with Paua Shell Eyes

Te Maniatutu Ruamoko. This tekoteko free-standing figure is caved from a single piece of wood. It depicts a figure with hands at its stomach and feet apart, knees slightly bent. The figure has inlaid paua shell eyes, and the face has incised detailing of…

Te Maniatutu untitled. This tekoteko free-standing figure is…

Maniatutu Figure with Paua Shell Eyes and Moko Detailing

Te Maniatutu untitled. This tekoteko free-standing figure is caved from a single piece of wood. It depicts a figure with hands at its stomach and feet apart, knees slightly bent. The figure has inlaid paua shell eyes, and the face has incised detailing of…

Carved tekoteko figure holding taiaha, 19 cm height

Tekoteko with Taiaha: Carved Figure (10cm)

Carved tekoteko figure holding taiaha, 19 cm height

Carved tekoteko figure, inlaid paua eyes with protruding tongue…

Paua-eyed Tekoteko with Protruding Tongue

Carved tekoteko figure, inlaid paua eyes with protruding tongue and three-fingered hands held to the belly. 12 cm height

Maori tekoteko figure, New Zealand. Carved and engraved kauri…

Maori Tekoteko Figure with Pua Inlay Eyes

Maori tekoteko figure, New Zealand. Carved and engraved kauri wood with pua. Standing Maori ancestor figure with pua inlay eyes, protruding tongue, traditional top knot, deeply carved face and body tattoos, three clasped hands with one finger across the…

A superb 18th century carved architectural panel, the stone…

18th Century Carved Architectural Panel with Wheku Head

A superb 18th century carved architectural panel, the stone tool carved panel with a wheku head to the lower section with open mouth with protruding tongue and with rauponga carved detailing. The upper section of the panel with a pair of outward facing…

Hori Parone, tekoteko figure, enamel on carved timber, paua,…

Hori Parone's Tekoteko Figure

Hori Parone, tekoteko figure, enamel on carved timber, paua, tin, composite, wire (circa. 1960), 86 x 18 x 15 cm

Carver unknown, tekoteko - standing figure holding patu or mere,…

Unknown Carver's Tekoteko with Patu/Mere, c.1880-1920

Carver unknown, tekoteko - standing figure holding patu or mere, carved wood, c.1880-1920, 77 x 18.5 x 10 cm

New Zealand folk art, carving, on a Maori theme featuring a…

Maori-themed carved folk art with central tekoteko figure

New Zealand folk art, carving, on a Maori theme featuring a central tekoteko figure atop a koruru face and a manaia head to the top section, height 90.5 cm. Provenance: formerly in the John Perry collection

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

Cigar & tobacco box modelled as a wharenui (dwelling), the…

Wharenui-inspired Cigar & Tobacco Box

Cigar & tobacco box modelled as a wharenui (dwelling), the house front carved with maiki, amo tekoteko, korur and paepae. The lid lifting to reveal a painted tahuhu and heke painted with Kowhaiwhai decoration. The interior with a small fitted cigar box…

A vintage carved pou post, carved with a tekoteko like figure…

Carved Pou Post with Tekoteko and Bull

A vintage carved pou post, carved with a tekoteko like figure surmounting a bull and with dogs in low relief below, good weathered patina. Height 216 cm.

A pre 19th century Maori carved wooden tekoteko figure. The…

Maori Tekoteko Figure with High Relief Carving

A pre 19th century Maori carved wooden tekoteko figure. The carving of high relief with dark stain. Prominent weku features with hands to chest. Unusual horizontal slats between legs. Old illegible collection no. And a lot no. To reverse. Height 50 cm,…

19th century or late 18th century Maori carved figure (possibly…

Red-stained Maori Carved Figure with Geometric Spiral Design

19th century or late 18th century Maori carved figure (possibly a tekoteko). Red stained with faint traces of paint to eyes. Carved female moku to chin with both hands to stomach. Geometric spiral and notch carving to body. Height 61 cm, width 20 cm,…

An important 19th century or earlier Maori carved wooden…

Maori Tekoteko with Koruru Mask and Whakapapa Loops

An important 19th century or earlier Maori carved wooden tekoteko. The top figure with carved moku to face, one hand to stomach and the other to mouth (finger missing). Below is a weku style koruru mask, linked to the top figure through a series of…

A contemporary bronze cast traditional Maori small tekoteko,…

Bronze Maori Tekoteko with Paua Eyes

A contemporary bronze cast traditional Maori small tekoteko, the stylised tattooed figure with hands clasped to abdomen, paua inset eyes. Height 35.5 cm.

19th century Maori tekoteko figure, with a patu held in the…

Maori Tekoteko Figure with Patu and Koruru Mask

19th century Maori tekoteko figure, with a patu held in the right hand, open mouth displaying block form teeth and male genitals present, surmounting a Koruru mask suggesting this figure was featured in an elevated position. Old red brown paint finish,…

Folk Art carved Tekoteko figure, with enormous tongue painted…

Paua-eyed Tekoteko: Folk Art Carving

Folk Art carved Tekoteko figure, with enormous tongue painted wood with inset paua shell eyes, height 55 cm. Provenance: John Perry collection

New Zealand folk art carving, highly stylized Tekoteko figure,…

Stylized Tekoteko Carving from New Zealand Folk Art Collection

New Zealand folk art carving, highly stylized Tekoteko figure, in black, height 79 cm. Provenance: John Perry collection

New Zealand folk art carving, on a Maori theme featuring a…

Maori Folk Art Carving with Tekoteko and Manaia Figures

New Zealand folk art carving, on a Maori theme featuring a central Tekoteko figure atop a koruru face and a manaia head to the top section, with inset paua shell eyes, height 90.5 cm. Provenance: John Perry collection

Tekoteko figure three fingered with elongated tongue and paua…

Elongated Tongue Tekoteko with Paua Eyes

Tekoteko figure three fingered with elongated tongue and paua eyes, height 54 cm

Tekoteko - ancestral figure cylindrical form, well defined…

Ancestral Tekoteko Figure with Tongue and Heihei Decoration

Tekoteko - ancestral figure cylindrical form, well defined facial features with large tongue protruding from mouth, fingers resting upon torso, slightly bent feet standing on raised base, fully carved with pataki and triple heihei decoration, height 92 cm

Tekoteko - ancestral figure flattened rectangular head with…

Spiraled Tekoteko Ancestral Figure

Tekoteko - ancestral figure flattened rectangular head with large protruding tongue and raised facial features, carved spiral design to shoulders and arms resting upon stomach, slightly bent knees standing on carved base with pataki and triple heihei…

An early 20th century waka huia (treasure box), the handle with…

Mirrored Waka Huia Treasure Box with Carvings and Paua Shell

An early 20th century waka huia (treasure box), the handle with mirrored tekoteko figures connected at the head above carved wheku heads with inset paua shell eyes. The bowl supported on two humanistic forms with tongues extended and full moko, carved…

Early 20th century carved Maori whare facade boards, the amo…

Maori Whare Facade Boards with Carvings and Paint

Early 20th century carved Maori whare facade boards, the amo (vertical supporting boards) each with three main stylised figures and multiple masks, old red paint showing some distress, remains of paua shell discs to eyes, the maihi boards with conforming…

A Maori folk art carved figure, in the manner of a tekoteko,…

Maori Tekoteko Carved Figure with Pendant and Bow Tie

A Maori folk art carved figure, in the manner of a tekoteko, the stylised figure with hands clasped to abdomen, the face with incised moko and with further designs carved to torso and arms, a pendant suspended to the figure?s neck and a ribbon bow tie…

A ?th century Maori carved wooden feeding bowl. Bowl is shaped…

Maori Carved Feeding Bowl with Manaia and Tekoteko Faces

A ?th century Maori carved wooden feeding bowl. Bowl is shaped like a gourd. Pakati, haehae designs, with paua shell inlay. The bowl depicts four manaia and one tekoteko face. Length 38 cm, height 10 cm.

Tekoteko figure, 19th century, surmounting a koruru mask, the…

Tekoteko Figure with Patu and Koruru Mask

Tekoteko figure, 19th century, surmounting a koruru mask, the tekoteko holding a patu, Y13863. Height 82 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…