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.

422 items found, 385-422 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:

Rare small titoki liquor bottle modelled as a Maori pou pou…

Maori Pou Pou Titoki Liquor Bottle (16cm)

Rare small titoki liquor bottle modelled as a Maori pou pou figure. Height 16 cm

An early/mid-20th century Maori carved malacca cane walking…

Maori carved malacca cane walking stick

An early/mid-20th century Maori carved malacca cane walking stick, the shaft one-third carved with a band of stylised figures and fine lineal, notch and scroll decoration. 88 cm.

Mid to late 20th century carved standing tiki figure 59 cm…

Carved Tiki Figure, 59cm

Mid to late 20th century carved standing tiki figure 59 cm height

A Mike Higgs carved stylised Maori pendant, the figure similar…

Stylised Maori Pendant with Notched Paua Shell Eye

A Mike Higgs carved stylised Maori pendant, the figure similar to above with double spiral centre, notched paua shell ring inset eye, length 7.5 cm. Provenance: The estate collection of Michael Higgs, [Tribal Artefacts, Polynesian Arts & Crafts, Private &…

A kauri gum figure of a kiwi, Hand-carved and painted, height…

Hand-carved Kauri Gum Kiwi Figure

A kauri gum figure of a kiwi, Hand-carved and painted, height 12.5 cm, width 13 cm, depth 6.5 cm

A Maori carved wooden box, the lid with a manaia figure. 15.5…

Maori Carved Box with Manaia Figure

A Maori carved wooden box, the lid with a manaia figure. 15.5 cm x 12 cm x 4.5 cm

An early/mid-20th century Maori carved walking stick, the…

Maori Walking Stick with Carved Figure and Paua Eyes

An early/mid-20th century Maori carved walking stick, the handle base with stylised full standing figure, paua inset eyes, the reverse with notch carved name 'KING H.', various lineal, diamond and angled carving to the shaft, detailed 'KIA ORA' towards…

A retro figure lamp, made from wood and painted black.…

Wooden Taiaha Man Lamp

A retro figure lamp, made from wood and painted black. Depicting a male crouching and holding a taiaha, height 28.5 cm, width 10 cm, depth 20 cm

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

Paua-eyed Tongue Carving

A New Zealand folk art figure, carved from wood. Depicting a freestanding figure with hands resting at the stomach and a long tongue extended. With pauashell eyes and coloured brown/red, height 22 cm, width 5 cm, depth 4.5 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 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

A New Zealand folk art figure, carved from wood depicting a…

Colorful Kneeling Folk Art Figure from New Zealand

A New Zealand folk art figure, carved from wood depicting a kneeling figure. The figure has been coloured with paint, and has detailing for eyes and skirt, height 25 cm, width 8.5 cm, depth 10 cm

A mid-20th century Maori carved wahaika, with traditional…

Maori Wahaika Carving with Stylised Figure

A mid-20th century Maori carved wahaika, with traditional stylised figure under the lobed blade, a fibre wrist cord attached. Length 42 cm.

A 20th century Maori souvenir carved paddle, the blade back…

Maori souvenir paddle with high relief carvings

A 20th century Maori souvenir carved paddle, the blade back carved in high relief with multiple profile heads, the shaft with figures. Some faults, length 60 cm

A vintage Maori carved floor standing ashtray with a stand of…

Maori Carved Ashtray on Ebonised Tiki Stand

A vintage Maori carved floor standing ashtray with a stand of ebonised tiered tiki figures and dog toothed notched tray. Height 69.5 cm

Three carved pou Whakairo figures with Tiki

Pou Whakairo Trio with Tiki Carvings

Three carved pou Whakairo figures with Tiki

A carved wood Maori desk stand with glass ink well, decorated…

Maori Desk Stand with Carved Heads and Inlaid Paua

A carved wood Maori desk stand with glass ink well, decorated with carved wheku heads and manaia with inlaid paua, 22 cm x 30 cm

A carved tiki figure, Late-20th century, paua shell inlaid eyes,…

Paua-eyed Tiki Carving

A carved tiki figure, Late-20th century, paua shell inlaid eyes, height 22 cm, width 6 cm, depth 9 cm

Maori figure with paua disc eyes carved holding a patu aloft.…

Paua-eyed Maori Warrior with Patu

Maori figure with paua disc eyes carved holding a patu aloft. Height 40 cm

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

Two cast standing Maori figures, 36 cm, 35 cm height

Maori Standing Figures - 36cm & 35cm

Two cast standing Maori figures, 36 cm, 35 cm height

A vintage Maori carved floor standing ashtray with a stand of…

Maori Carved Floor Ashtray with Stylised Tiki Stand

A vintage Maori carved floor standing ashtray with a stand of stylised tiered tiki figures and dog toothed notched tray. Height 72 cm

A vintage carved Maori warrior figure, taiaha broken. Height 20…

Broken Maori Warrior Figure

A vintage carved Maori warrior figure, taiaha broken. Height 20 cm

A vintage carved Maori Wahine figure, headdress broken. Height…

Broken Maori Wahine Figure

A vintage carved Maori Wahine figure, headdress broken. Height 28 cm

An early/mid-20th century Maori carved hinged lidded box,…

Maori Carved Hinged Box with Stylised Figures

An early/mid-20th century Maori carved hinged lidded box, rectangular form, two stylised joined figures recessed to the lid. 17 x 9.5 x 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 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.

Polychrome decorated timber carved figure in female form,…

Polychrome decorated timber carved figure in female form, holding a mallet or club, height 49 cm, , Major losses to painted finish

An early 20th century carved small model waka, stylised figure…

Carved Waka Model with Stylised Figures

An early 20th century carved small model waka, stylised figure to each side. Length 25 cm.

An early 20th century Maori carved figural vesta holder, the…

Maori Figural Vesta Holder

An early 20th century Maori carved figural vesta holder, the stylised figure with all-over carving, paua disc inset eyes, lead weighted base, the back with slot to hold striker material. Height 8.8 cm.

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

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

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

Indonesian batik, two figure, signed Heru. 48 x 44 cm

Heru's Signed Batik: Two Figures

Indonesian batik, two figure, signed Heru. 48 x 44 cm

Ti-toki liqueur bottle, modelled as a Maori pou pou figure,…

Ti-toki Maori Liqueur Bottle with Label

Ti-toki liqueur bottle, modelled as a Maori pou pou figure, with original label. Height 26 cm

Gibson's carvings Ltd - the manaia carved totara, no. 103…

Manaia Totara Carving with Original Mounting and Frame

Gibson's carvings Ltd - the manaia carved totara, no. 103 stamped to reverse, original mounting and frame, 40 x 25 cm overall

Vintage Maori handpainted tobacco jar wood jar, with pokerwork…

Maori Handpainted Tobacco Jar with Man Figure Decoration

Vintage Maori handpainted tobacco jar wood jar, with pokerwork title 'Tobacco' to lid, hand painted Maori man figure decoration. Height 11.5 cm

Wooden box with carved lid, the lid is well decorated with…

Carved Wooden Box with Intricate Lid Design

Wooden box with carved lid, the lid is well decorated with interweaving wheku and manaia figures. 5 cm height x 8 cm width