New Zealand Maori artefacts manaia (figure) - price guide and values

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

Finely Carved Tokotoko Walking Stick with Manaia Figures

Tokotoko finely carved walking stick, curved handle leading to carved shaft with koiri and rauponga designs, three manaia figures each with paua inset eyes, dark brown patina (some loss to handle), height 95 cm

Te Ati AWA Kawhaiwhai Tokotoko

Fine tokotoko, by Jacob William Heberley (1849-1906) Te Ati AWA Wellington descent, the gentle tapering shaft carved with a figure to the upper section holding a mere and with crescent shaped paua shell eyes, the shaft and knobbed handle decorated with a…

Heberley Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Tane and Wahine

A carved wood tobacco pipe by Thomas Heberley (1876 - 1937). The bowl is carved with a pair of naturalistic tane and wahine figures holding three fingered hands to their mouths. The wahine holds a stylised patu the tane with hand to hip, both with cut…

An early 20th century carved ebonised panel, centered by a figure with a wheku head with protruding tongue and cut paua shell eyes flanked by figures with wheku heads, the whole extensively adorned with haehae, pakati and pikoruru carving. 89 x 66 cm

Maori Whalebone Wahaika with Stylised Figure and Weku Head

A 19th century Maori carved whalebone wahaika, the traditional double lobed spatulate blade with full stylised figure to the back, weku head to the butt, square cut lashing hole, of good weight, length 34.5 cm. Provenance: this item has resided in the one…

Maori Green Stone Pekapeka Pendant

18th century or earlier Maori carved green stone pekapeka. The left hand manaia upright as opposed to the near horizontal right hand manaia. Of translucent stone with hour glass form suspension hole. Width 6 cm, height 4 cm

Wheku Pou Whakairo: Carved Freestanding Figure

Pou Whakairo (carved Freestanding figure), the standing figure with hands placed to the abdomen and with a wheku head with cut paua disc eyes and open mouth with protruding tongue. Decorated with rauponga and maui spirals, 27 x 12 cm.

Paua-eyed Maori Wooden Sculpture by James Rickard

A carved Maori wooden sculpture by master carver James Rickard, 'Koha' paua inset eyes. Length 142 cm. Width 40 cm.

Koruru lizard tiki architectural carving

Carved architectural element. Koruru' strong tiki figure with mouth open revealing a lizard with an inset shell eye, carved double haehae and dog tooth notching. Dry red-wash patina. Height 49.5 cm. Width 34.5 cm.

Maori Mythology Pounamu Boulder Bowl

A large dark green pounamu carved boulder bowl, the base carved with Maori mythological scene incorporating lizard and figures, the top hollowed out as a bowl. 30+ kgs. 46 cm x 40 cm x 25 cm.

Red Maori Wooden Carving with Paua Shell Eyes

A contact period wooden Maori carving. Red stained wooden carving. Figure standing with hands clasped to abdomen, paua shell inset eyes. Provenance: Ex-Wagener Museum. Length 63 cm

A carved wood tobacco pipe by Thomas Heberley. The front of the bowl carved with a wahine and child the stem issuing from the mouth of a naturalistic tane figure clutching the tail of a marakihau (mythical sea creature). Cut paua embellishments. Linear…

A good early 19th century wahaika (carved wood hand club), traditional hooked blade with carved wheku figure to the inner blade curve. The grip section terminating in a carved wheku head. Pierced for suspension. Small natural wood depression to one side…

Rare Wahaika Male Figure with Long Tongue and Ridges

Rare wahaika 19th century, male carved figure to back with long protruding tongue, four ridges to butt, square hole, length 35 cm. Provenance: Neil Darroch collection, formerly E.B. Williams collection, Hastings (early 20th century). Ref 90

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…

Whalebone Wahaika Hand Club with Carved Figure

Ian McMillan carved whalebone wahaika hand club, a figure carved to the middle lower back blade section, mask carved butt. Of good weight and proportion. Length 38 cm.

Maori Female Carved Post with Hei Tiki Necklace

A 19th/20th century Maori carved female figured post ex. Whakarewarewa Village the female figure with chin moko, a cloak with remains of white paint and taniko detail wrapped around her shoulders, a large green painted hei tiki hangs around her neck, a…

Wheku Carved Paepae Board with Red Ochre Finish

Large Paepae (Threshold board), carved in a continuous band with wheku heads, manaia and mirahiaku. Traces of red ochre finish. Circa 1920, 3.2 metres length

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

Large 19th Century Maori Carved Pipe Bowl

A good 19th century large Maori carved pipe bowl, finely carved in good deep relief with a stylised full male figure to the front and base, tongue extended, genitals present, a further conforming stylised mask to each side, good dark original patina.…

Geometric Waka Huia with Tongue Figures

Carved 19th century wooden waka huia, all over geometric pAkati decoration supported by two figures with protruding tongues either end

Maori Ipu with Haka Figure

A pre 19th century Maori carved Ipu (Spouted bowl). This rare form of kumete was possibly used to pour preserving bird fat into gourds. The figure to underside in haka pose with defined ribs and extended tongue. Length 39 cm

19th Century Toki Poutangata Ceremonial Adze

Toki poutangata - ceremonial adze 19th century, dark flared greenstone adze bound to haft with flax cord, haft decorated with notch motif and paua shell inset, tiki figure to top of haft, length 47 cm. Provenance: John Griffin collection

Whalebone Patu with Male Tiki Figure and Mask Finial

Late 19th century whalebone patu, full male tiki figure to the side with tiki mask finial, 30.5 cm length

Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki Figure with Mere

A large Maori figure carved pounamu boulder, the stylised figure wearing a hei tiki, with hands to front, holding a mere, soft edged carving. Dark tone with pale inclusions and golden tan highlights. 64 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm. Approximately 160kgs.

19th Century Patiti with Tiki & Manaia Carvings

A very good quality 19th century patiti (short handled weapon) carved tiki face at top and manaia head at the base butt., with whale bone handle and an iron mounted axe, maker William Gilpin 1860s imprinted into side of axe blade.

Long-handled axe with intricate decorative features

Late 19th/early 20th century long handled axe (toki Kakauroa) decorated with large figure in relief, paua shell insets, geometric motifs and manaia type mask to top, length 104 cm

Maori Folk Art Carvings with Paua Shell Eyes

A pair of fine early 20th century folk art carvings, of two stylised Maori figures, the larger female figure depicted with tiki, moko, piupiu and inset paua shell eyes (h.38 cm) the smaller male figure depicted holding a mere (h.30 cm). Provenance: John…

Tekoteko Figure with Patu and Koruru Mask

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

Maori Carved Wooden Waewae Fragment with Weku Figures

A pre 19th century Maori carved wooden waewae fragment (door post). Three weku type figures (weathered to varying degrees) mounted on an intricate pierced geometric support. The remnants of a barely legible label to one side. Length 58 cm, width 9 cm,…

Whalebone Hand Club with Carved Figure and Wheku Grip

A 19th century kotiate paraoa (whalebone hand club ), with lobed blade and with a small carved figure to the base of the blade. The grip section terminating in a wheku figure carved in high relief. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, 35 cm length.

19th Century Maori Carved Kumete

A 19th century Maori carved kumete, the figure supported bowl of oval form with flat rim, the front figure with clasped hands and extended tongue, finely carved, the larger figure to the other end of larger form, arms extended back towards the rim, the…

Manaia Wahaika with Wheku Head

A good whale bone wahaika, the incurve carved with a manaia figure in high relief with hands placed to abdomen, the handle pierced for wrist suspension terminating in a carved wheku head. Length 32 cm

Papahou Treasure Box with Stylized Tiki Figures

Ian McMillan carved papahou treasure box, finely all over carved with a spiralling and notch carved detail, two co-joined stylised figures form the lid handle, entwined pierced and carved figure to each end as handles. Mid to dark variable waxed finish.…

Fine Carved Model Waka with Paua Inset Eyes

Ian McMillan large model waka, the top rim with long band of finely carved stylised figures, paua inset eyes, notched carved interior, carved from an old log section. Raised on a carved plinth of recycled rimu. Waka length 310 cm. Note: the model Waka…

Maori Stylised Figure Post from Whakarewarewa Village

An old 19th/20th century Maori carved stylised figured post ex. Whakarewarewa Village, the red painted stylised figure with notch carved detail, red paint finish. Rising from a square section painted post with diamond notched rail space. Height 153.5 cm.…

Large Maori Carved Figure Post with Taiaha and Mere

An old large Maori carved figured post, the tall stylised figure with detailed moko, pronounced arched back with his right leg upon a further stylised head, he holds a taiaha to his right hand and a raised mere to his left, further stylised figures to the…

Rare Chiefly Adze with Manaia and Pataki Designs

Toki pou tangata - ceremonial adze fine and rare example of chiefly ceremonial adze, the top carved with dominating manaia figure holding a lizard by its tail, fully decorated with pataki and triple heihei designs to top shaft, stone adze bound with muka…

A 19th century tokotoko attributed to Jacob William Heberley (1849 - 1906), naturalistic carved figure with ta-moko surmounting four wheku heads. The figures with inset cut paua shell eyes (one missing) and decorated with triple haehae and pakati (dog…

Stylised Wakahuia with Feather Pattern and Tiki Figure

Ian McMillan finely carved wakahuia, stylised head form handles, fine 'feather pattern' all over to the body, stylised figures to the side and tiki figure to the base. Length 50 cm

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

Maori War Canoe Model with Intricate Carvings

A rare model waka taua, Maori war canoe, of carved wood, with a raised stern (taurapa) displaying an ancestral figure in high relief, the prow (tauihu) distinguished by a projecting carved figure with paua inlaid eyes and a protruding defiant tongue…

19th Century Carved Wooden Whakawae Door Jamb

Carved wooden whakawae (door Jamb) section, the early 19th century architectural piece carved with three conjoined ancestral figures with naturalistic bodies and wheku faces mounted on an intricately carved support with side profile wheku heads and…

Cliff Whiting's Koru Spiral Mask Prototype

Cliff Whiting untitled, Cliff Whiting (1937-2017) of Te Whanau-a-Apanui iwi was an esteemed teacher and practitioner of Maori arts. Whiting was a leading figure in the design of Te Papa's Rongomaraeroa marae. This mask is a prototype designed by Whiting…

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…

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

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…

Rare Large Matai Kumete with Tiki Figure

A rare contact period very large Matai food bowl (kumete). Found at Ngaere, South Taranaki. Square projection to one side with projecting tiki figure to opposite side (head broken off). Hole to one side near base. Length 85.5 cm. Depth 25.5 cm

An early 19th century waka Taua Rauawa (Gunwale), carved with side profile figures with wheku faces interlinked with manaia figures with cut paua shell eyes. Red ochre painted finish. Pierced with circular holes to the upper and lower section to enable…

Maori Carved Wooden Pare with Manaia Figures

A 19th century / early 20th century Maori carved wooden pare (lintel). Large manaia figures to each end and pierced central figure with hands to each side of face. Haehae and pakati decoration. Paua shell inset eyes. Lashing holes to reverse, slots…

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,…

Maori Carved Figure with Decorated Bowl

New Zealand folk art, carving, on a Maori theme consisting of a column of three gesturing figures in black, raised over a square pedestal base and mounted with a highly decorated bowl, height 80.5 cm. Provenance: formerly in the John Perry collection

Haehae Carved Maori Wahaika Club

Maori hand club wahaika, this hardwood club is finely incised over the entire blade with deep relief linear haehae carving. A finely carved ancestor figure on the side of the club with elliptical eyes, curved legs and hands held to the belly. The butt of…

Maori Waka Hoe with Carved Manaia Butt

A pre European waka hoe. This Maori steering paddle is known commonly as a waka hoe, or a canoe paddle-and is sometimes referred to by Maori as a whakatere. A unique feature of this paddle is the carved manaia butt. Waka hoe of this ilk usually have only…

Stylised female figure on oval pod-shaped container

Ian McMillan carved waka k'iwi, oval pod-type form, the lid carved with stylised female figure with encircling three fingered hands, legs and genitals evident to one end, the base plain. Length 71 cm.

Maori Pou Post with Ta Moko and Paua Shell Eyes

Carved Maori pou post, the ancestral figure with ta moko and paua shell eyes. The body with decorative haehae carving and with three fingers clasped together at the abdomen, Y17541. Height 148 cm

Rare Whalebone Tokotoko with Figures and Antler Handle

A good rare whalebone tokotoko, the tapering shaft carved with two figures. The upper section figure with a wheku head with protruding tongue and cut paua shell eyes. The arms with pikorauru spirals at the shoulders and hands placed to the abdomen. The…

Finely Carved Ancestral Paddle by Tene Waitere

Tene Waitere (attributed), finely carved hoe, with orthodox leaf shaped blade carved in deep relief with two ancestral figures and two manaia decorated with rauponga and with cut paua shell eyes. The reverse side of the blade with low relief Kowhaiwhai…

A 19th century Wakahuia (treasure box), traditional elongated oval shape flanked by stylized human figures carved in high relief. Each with arms outstretched behind their backs with hands resting on the box. The body of the box carved with radiating lines…

Maori Wooden Fragment with Carvings and Stand

A pre 19th century Maori carved wooden fragment. Red stained, semi circular with flattened central section flanked by four figures (both top figures damaged) over weku type figures. The base with geometric haehae and pakati notching. On stand. Height 62…

Maori Kauri Inkwell Figure with Fine Carving

A rare late 19th early 20th century Maori carved kauri figure supported inkwell fine detailed carving, one figure supported on the back of a kneeling figure, all on an oval base, the bowl with original glass inkwell and black stained finish, paua inset…

Red Stained Spiral Carved Maori Figure

Northland, possibly Ex Wagener Museum wooden carved Maori figure. Red stained figure with spiral carved thighs and buttocks and carved spiral to centre of back. Split to face and abdomen. Height 46 cm (excluding stand).

Charlie Wilson nephrite mere with carved wooden box

A Charlie Wilson nephrite mere of traditional form with large spatula formed blade waisted grip and triple ring groove to the butt, tapered suspension hole, length 39 cm, housed in a carved wooden box of lozenge form with relief decoration of Maori…

Weke Wahaika - Maori Carved Short-Bladed Striking Weapon

A wahaika, Aotearoa, circa late 19th century. A short-bladed striking weapon. Carved from a single piece of wood. Weke masked butt, carved human figure (marakihau) on incurve. Its body and head have been carved in a figure-of-eight shape, with an arched…

Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with…

Maori Carved Doorway with Stylized Figure and Spirals

A 19th century Maori carved complete doorway (pare and support posts), the central stylised figure fully carved with haehae design and notched detail, tongue extended, the three digit hands clasped to the stomach, flanked by double spirals (pitau),…

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

19th Century Tuki with Ancestral Figures

Rare 19th century tuki (mouthpiece for a calabash), the tapering cylindrical form decorated with lineal rauponga and with a pair of well carved outward facing ancestral figures, each with three finger hands placed on the abdomen. 14 x 20 cm. Y 20988

Maori bird snare perch with manaia face

A 19th century / early 20th century Maori carved wooden mutu kaka (bird Snare perch). Perch section slightly curved terminating in manaia face. Full figure to shank with fingers on chest and bent knees. Weku style face. On stand. Length 33 cm

Maori Wahaika with Female Figure and Weku Mask

A pre 19th century Maori carved wooden wahaika. Of relatively thick form with full carved female figure to inside blade, weku type mask to butt. Hour glass form suspension hole. Length 43 cm

Rare Mahe Sinker with Carved Figures and Grooves

A good rare Pre-European mahe (sinker), stone tool carved with a figure to each side with wheku head. Each figure with folded legs. One figure with hands placed to abdomen, the other with hands placed on to the legs. The base with concentric grooves.…

Finely Carved Tokotoko by Jacob Heberley

Jacob William Heberley (1849-1906) Te Ati AWA Wellington, a finely carved tokotoko (traditionally carved walking stick), with four figures, each surmounting the other. The lower figure with naturalistic face with ta-moko. The two middle figures carved…

Kohekohe Pouwhenua with Carved Manaia Paua Inlay

19th century pouwhenua (long handled weapon), possible kohekohe hardwood, rounded rau (blade) with carved whiti towards botton of shaft, depicts a carved manaia paua inlay to one eye only, 152 cm

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…

19th Century Whalebone Kotiate with Manaia Figure

Superb kotiate early 19th century whalebone short striking weapon of traditional form with manaia figure to butt, red inset to one eye and paua shell inset to other, length 33 cm

A late 19th century Poupou section, carved with an ancestral figure with a wheku face with five fingered hands placed on the abdomen. The base of the panel carved with a wheku face. 71 x 26 cm

A good late 19th century figure supported kumete (Ngati tarawhai), a well carved lidded figure supported kumete. The bowl is flanked by two crouching wheku figures carved in high relief. The surface is ornately carved in rauponga spirals with triple…

A large early 19th century Wakahuia (treasure box), traditional elongated oval shape flanked by stylized human figures (one missing the lower section of the mouth), each with three fingered hands resting on the thighs and cut paua shell adorning the eyes.…

Maori Carved Door Frames with Geometric Notch Decoration

A pair of late 19th century / early 20th century carved Maori whakawae (door frames). Each deep relief figure with painted eyes and geometric notch decoration to the face, the body of stylised human form. The back support to both whakawae painted in a…

Rare Ngati Tarawhai Carved Fire Surround by Tene Waitere

Tene Waitere (attributed), a superb and rare carved ngati tarawhai fire surround, modelled after a pare (lintel) and Whakawae (supports) from the door frame of a Wharenui, the whakawae with ancestral figural carving as male and female forms, the male…

Rare Pounamu Pekapeka Pendant with Manaia Heads

Pounamu pekapeka (nephrite pendant), finely carved from Kawakawa variety pounamu, with cut circular eyes and asymmetrical countersunk suspension hole, pekapeka are named after the small native New Zealand bat which they are said to resemble in appearance.…

Wheku-faced paddle with carved figure and spiral decoration

Fine and unusual 19th century hoe (paddle), classic form with long cylindrical shaft terminating in a carved figure with wheku face and with folded legs clasped by his arms with pakura (spiral) decoration. The back of the blade with faint inscription…

Rare Maori God Sinker with Carved Figures

Important Mahe - Sinker. A very rare Pre-European stone carved God sinker (mahe) or ballast stone, with carved janus manaia figures to the top which is perforated for attachment to a line. Of exceptional quality and superior to those in the British Museum…

Maori Carved Lintel with Stylised Figures and Paua Eyes

An early/mid 20th century Maori carved long lintel ex. Auckland Town Hall, carved with a central stylised figure flanked by three pairs of further figures and scrolls. Paua insert eyes. 270 x 30 cm. Provenance: Ex. Auckland Town Hall basement area.…

Ian McMillan's Tauihu Canoe Prow Carving

The Ian McMillan Estate Collection. At age 10 Ian McMillan was introduced to carving by Bruce Manley and continued to develop a love, knowledge and understanding of Maori and New Zealand history and culture. Ian spent the latter years of his life based at…

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…

18th Century Carved Wooden Door Jamb with Ancestral Figures

Wooden whakawae (door jamb) section, the 18th century architectural piece carved with three conjoined ancestral figures with naturalistic bodies and wheku faces mounted on an intricately carved and pierced support. Remnants of a barely legible old…

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…

Exceptional Museum-Quality Carved Pounamu Toki Poutangata by Gardiner

An exceptional museum-quality Lewis Gardiner carved pounamu toki poutangata, of large size, the oval section cylindrical handle with stylised bust carved end, the raised top with entwined pierced and carved stylised figures in a good dark green kahurangi…