New Zealand Maori artefacts patu, patuki, paoi (clubs / root and flax beaters) - price guide and values

Maori Greenstone Patu with Curved Blade and Handle

Maori greenstone patu, with a curved blade and handle, in tones of green and black, length 39 cm

Pecked Patu Muka with Raised Handle Decoration

Patu muka of classic bulbous form with pecked surface and raised decoration to handle end

Volcanic Stone Patu Muka with Carved Handle

A patu muka (fern root pounder), made in volcanic stone, well defined grip section with three concentric grooves carved to the handle base. Hammer pecked surface, 20 cm length.

Maori Stone Pounder with Tapered Grip and Domed Butt

A pre-European Maori patu muka (stone pounder), mildly tapered bulbous end, tapered waisted grip, ridged domed butt end. Length 225. Registered Y21166.

Vintage Maori Carved Figures with Taiaha and Patu

A pair of vintage Maori carved figures, the crouching man with a taiaha, the kneeling woman with a patu, finely detailed and painted highlights, height 245 and 21.5 cm.

Flax Pounder from Greywacke Boulder in Aotearoa

A patu muka, Aotearoa. This flax pounder is made from a greywacke boulder. There are areas of the natural surface of the boulder and other heavily smoothed surfaces from use. Length 22.5 cm, width 8 cm

Patu muka, round based stone pounder, with pitting marks, shaft smooth, handle and top covered with hammer dressing, the round top is worn but remains of three concentric oval grooves on the top remain, length 27 cm. Provenance: Estate of John Lawford.

A patu muka (fern root pounder), height 20 cm,

Traditional Maori Stone Pounder

A pre-European Maori patu muka (stone pounder), of traditional form with well defined features, peaked reduced grip, flared butt end, the pounding surface worn smooth and of good dark tone. Reg. Y20381. Length 22 cm

Maori fern root beater from Wagener Museum

A Maori wooden fern root beater (patu aruhe) in good condition, dark polished wood. Length 35.5 cm. Provenance: Ex-Wagener Museum

Spatulate Patu Tuna from Wagner Museum Collection

Patu Tuna (Eel club), Spatulate shaped blade tapering to the grip, Provenance: Wagner Musuem collection, Northland, 44 cm length.

Maori Stone Tools for Flax Preparation and Adze Crafting

A patu muka, Maori stone flax fibre pounder and a Greywacke toki, Maori adze blade, the patu muka with greywacke ovoid body shape and short grip. Used in the preparation of muka by beating the fibres extracted from New Zealand flax (harakeke), to produce…

Polished Greywacke Patu Muku with Four Grooves

Patu muku (pounder), pecked and polished greywacke, four concentric grooves to the handle base. 22 cm length

Argillite Patu Muka from Gibbs Collection

Patu muka (flax pounder), argillite stone. Rounded end and conical to shoulder, knob rounded and grooved. Hammer pecked surface. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection. 23 cm length.

Inlaid Paua Wooden Patu Pair - 20th Century

Two carved wooden patu, inlaid paua. Modern 20th century. 34 cm, 36 cm length

Wheku Wahiaka: Whale Bone Club with Male Figure

Contemporary whale bone Wahiaka (short club), male figure to the inside curve, wheku face carved on the butt. Attached binding with feathers. 37 cm length

Carved Whalebone Wahaika with Full Figure Blade Curve

Mid 20th century whalebone wahaika (short club) traditional form with carved full figure to the blade curve 29.5 cm

Greywacke Patu Onewa: 20th Century Short-Handled Club

A 20th century patu onewa, Greywacke short-handled club featuring a flat elongated blade with sharp striking edge. Smooth polished surface. Rounded extremity pierced with a hole for suspending or fastening it securely to the wrist, the tip featuring…

A solid burr totara colonial period patu, wide tapered blade, oval section handle, length 36.5 cm.

Patu R?kau, 19th century, wooden patu of medium brown colour, rounded base and short cylindrical handle, oval end knob carved with concentric grooves and ridges, suspension hole with old auction label attached dated 3rd June 1998, carving scratch marks on…

Large Green Pounamu Mere with Incised Bands

A modern pounamu (nephrite) mere (hand club), of good large size, traditional spatulate blade with reduced grip and three incised bands to the butt end, the mid to dark green tone with dark flecked inclusions. Length 32.5 cm, plaited leather thong…

Argillite Patu Muka

Patu muka (flax pounder), Argillite stone with overall pecked finish, 27 cm length

Maori Greenstone Patu Hand Club

A Maori patu hand club, carved nephrite greenstone, New Zealand, 20th century, 35 cm long

Carved Whalebone Club with Three Ridges

Late 19th century/early 20th century carved patu paraoa (whalebone club), of relatively crude form with three large ridges to butt. Large thin blade, length 40 cm.

A folk art carving of a Maori woman, mid 20th century. Carved from a single piece of wood depicting a seated female figure wearing a piu piu and holding a patu. The woman wears a huia feather in her hair. At the base is a sticker that reads 'Maori Art…

Maori Whalebone Hand Club - Patu Pararoa

A Maori whalebone hand club (patu Pararoa). Large flared profile with staining and blotchy appearance, possibly from swamp immersion. Blade narrowing to grip with flared butt. Straight sided suspension holes. Four minor chips to circumference of blade.…

Vintage Maori Patu Hand Club with Intricate Carvings

Vintage Maori patu hand club. Finely carved with deep scroll designs and the butt with ancestor figure and inlaid paua shell eyes, length 31 cm

Classic Large Patu Muka Stone Pounder

Patu muka, stone pounder of classic form and large proportions. Ovoid cross section and body tapering to a flared rounded end. Length 37 cm. Width 10.5 cm

Maori Stone Hand Club with Elongated Spatulate Blade

A Maori pre-European patu onewa (stone hand club), traditional elongated spatulate blade, the butt broken and absent at the hourglass suspension hole, chip to blade, in good original polish. Length 32 cm. Provenance: Ex. A private old Auckland estate.

Maori Whalebone Club with Carved Animal Stem, 35cm

Antique Maori whalebone club with carved handle and decorative carved animal to stem, length 35 cm.

Maori Hand Club with Intricate Design

An early Maori hand club, with finely executed design to both sides, face on handle terminus, minor chips have been repaired, 19th or early 20th century, New Zealand, length 41.5 cm

Early 20th Century Wooden Patu Hand Club

Wooden patu (hand club), an early 20th century example with thin oval blade tapering to the grip section. 31 cm length

Maori Fighting Club with Intricate Carvings

Vintage finely carved New Zealand Maori fighting club (mere), approx 40 cm long

Chiselled Pou Ta Moko with Paua Inset Eyes

A hand-chiselled pou ta moko. A freestanding human form carved from a single piece of wood. The figure is holding a patu in one hand and the other hand is held to the stomach. The figure wears ta moko and has paua shell inset eyes. The wood has been…

Aruhe Patu from Whangarei Region

A patu aruhe, Whangarei Region, made from a dense brown wood. This pounder is used for beating rauaruhe fern down to extract the edible flesh from the fibres. This patu has a circular cross section that tapers up to the butt of the handle. Written in…

Maori Wooden Hand Club (Kotiate) - Carved on Both Sides

A Maori wooden hand club (kotiate). Carved on both sides. Carved face to butt with square hole on handle. Length 35.1 cm

Paua-Eyed Patu: Finely Carved Maori Weapon

Fine Patu. Finely carved with a beautifully shaped blade above a tubular handle inlaid with a single paua eye which guards the Patu and its master. Dark brown patina.Length 40.4 cm. Width 11.5 cm. Y Registration Pending

Waitangi Embossed Patu with Rare Notch, 1840

A historic Maori carved patu, with uncommon notch cut to blade. Embossed Waitangi 1840 to handle. Length 38.5 cm. Framed with note of provenance. 'This mere is made from Australian Red Gum brought to Waitangi in May 1853 for Mr James Busby who was…

18th Century Greywacke Hand Club

A late 18th century stone hand club (patu Onewa), of greywacke. Smooth patina with a ridges butt and hourglass hole. Also marked 4580. Length 30 cm

Jean Batten in Rotorua with Korowai and Patu Paraoha

A rare Charles Troughton Clark portrait photo of Jean Batten, the image taken during a visit to Rotorua in the 1930s. Jean Batten photographed standing in front of an amo wearing a Korowai with hukahuka thrums, adorned with a hei tiki and holding a patu…

Maori Stylised Figure Post from Whakarewarewa Village

An old 19th/20th century Maori carved stylised figured post ex. Whakarewarewa Village the red painted male figure with carved head, arms and legs, a large green painted patu to the right hand. Rising from a square section unpainted post with diamond…

Antique Onawa Stone Club with Hourglass Suspension Hole

18th century or earlier small patu onewa (stone club), two ridges to butt. Large hourglass suspension hole. Chips to blade, length 26 cm

Maori Stone Hand Club with Spatulate Blade

A Maori pre-European stone hand club (patu onewa), traditional spatulate blade with some chipping, narrowing to a reduced grip with three defined grooves to the butt end, hour-glass suspension hole, polished all over. Length 30.7 cm

Greenstone Maori Patu: A Cultural Artifact from New Zealand

A green stone Maori patu, New Zealand, height 30 cm, width 10 cm

A late 19th century wahaika (carved wood hand club), Hooked lobed blade with wheku figure carved to the inner blade curve. Pierced for suspension with unusual janus wheku face carved to the butt, height 37 cm,

A patu Pararoa (hand club), traditional spatulate shaped blade reducing to the grip, pierced for suspension with unusual notching to the butt, height 37.5 cm,

Maori Stone Hand Club with Tapered Blade

A pre-European Maori patu onewa (stone hand club), the tapered spatulate blade with chip to the flattish top. The butt with defined ridge, length 24.5 cm.

Argillite Patu Onewa with Suspension Hole and Grooves

A patu onewa (stone hand club), argillite, tapering spatulate shape with a countersunk hole for suspension, the butt terminating with three graduating grooves. Chip to the blade edge, 36 cm length.

Rare Chatham Islands Morori Patu Okewa Hand Club

A rare Chatham Islands Morori patu Okewa (hand club), Coarse rekohu schist. Probably used historically for ceremonies or the hunting of seals as the Morori embraced a pacifist culture that avoided all forms of warfare, 25 x 13 cm.

Traditional Patu Muka Stone Flax Pounder

A pre-European patu muka (stone flax pounder), traditional elongated ovoid body with reduced grip and four concentric pecked bands to the domed butt, good defined detail and medium polish. Length 24 cm. Provenance: Private Estate Collection

Patu Onewa: Ancient Stone Hand Club

Pre-European patu onewa (stone hand club), basalt short hand club, spatulate shape reducing to the grip, three concentric grooves to the butt. Mid and upper section is lacquered. Countersunk suspension hole. Chip to the butt, some fritting to the blade,…

Maori Carved Patu Paraoa

An old Maori carved patu paraoa, traditional spatulate blade, waisted grip and ridging to the butt, circular hour-glass tapered suspension hole. Length 30.2 cm

Wheku Ancestral Figure Door Section

Early 19th century Architectual board section, possibly the door to a kumara pit store, carved with an ancestral figure with a wheku head with protruding tongue with pakati detailing. The figure holds a patu to the abdomen clasped in three fingered hands.…

Maori Stone Hand Club with Polished Blade

A pre-European Maori patu onewa (stone hand club), the traditional tapered form with evidence of later polish to blade, three concentric concave rings to tapered butt end, reduced grip, the hour-glass suspension hole incomplete with drilling to one side…

Aruhe Fernroot Pounder from Aotearoa

A patu aruhe, Aotearoa, patu aruhe (fernroot beater). Pounders in wood were used to process the aruhe (roots) of the Rauaruhe (bracken fern). The process included soaking in water then roasting, steaming or boiling the roots before finally pounding them…

Paua-eyed Wahaika Hand Weapon with Mere Pounamu

Fine wahaika hand weapon, rounded blade finely carved with haehae and pataki surface decoration overall, two raised carved figures to either side of club, both with inlaid paua shell eyes, one holding mere pounamu also with carved manaia form sitting to…

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.…

Maori Childs Club with Shell Inlay

A Maori Childs Club (tiaha), New Zealand (early-mid 20th century), carved hardwood and shell inlay, 128 cm long

20th Century Stone Patu with Hourglass Hole and Grooves

A fine quality 20th century stone patu, with hourglass hole and three grooves to the butt. Length 34 cm.

Maori Stylised Figure Post from Whakarewarewa Village

An old 19th/20th century Maori carved stylised figured post ex. Whakarewarewa Village, the red painted male figure with carved head, the open mouth with notch form teeth, a green painted patu to the right hand. Rising from a square section unpainted post…

19th Century Maori Carved Wooden Patu

A 19th century Maori carved wooden patu, dark old patina, the broad blade with outward facing relief carved figure to one side, length 37 cm.

Maori Stone Hand Club with Elongated Blade

A Maori pre-European patu onewa (stone hand club), traditional elongated spatulate blade, the butt broken and absent at the hourglass suspension hole, in good original polish. Length 35.5 cm.

18th Century Stone Patu Onewa with Grooved Butt

A late 18th century fine quality stone patu onewa. Two chips to blade, three nice grooves to butt. Length 32.5 cm.

Maori Whalebone Wahaika with Octopus Relief Carving

A modern Maori large carved whalebone wahaika (hand club), traditional curved bladed end with full figure to the mid-section, backing to a relief carved octopus, a further traditional stylised figure to the handle and butt end, paua shell inlaid disc eyes…

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.…

Whalebone Patu Club with Traditional Carving

Whalebone patu early club carved from whalebone in traditional form with soft, early patina. Pierced hole for attachment. Length 35 cm. Width 8.7 cm

Fine Stone Club with Hourglass Suspension Hole

Patu Onewa fine stone club in traditional form. Smooth finish and hourglass-shaped suspension hole. Base of handle carved with five ridged linear lines in ovoid form. Length 29.7 cm. Width 8.4 cm

Maori Stone Patu with Hour-Glass Suspension Hole

A pre-European Maori stone patu (patu onewa), traditional tapered spatulate blade with minor chipping to end, tapered grip with 'hour-glass' suspension hole, the butt with three incised ridges. Registered Y18300. Length 32.5 cm

Antique Whalebone Hand Club

A 19th century or earlier patu paraoa (whalebone hand club), traditional broad spatulate blade, reduced grip, the short butt end with near cylindrical suspension hole, length 34.8 cm. Provenance: Private Estate Collection.

Nephrite Hand Club with Inanga Grip Section

Mere pounamu by Richard Anderson (nephrite hand club), Kawakawa variety stone. The elongated blade tapering to an inanga grip section. Pierced for wrist suspension with three graduating concentric grooves. Modern 20th century example. 30.5 cm length

Patu Onewa Hand Club from Dame Jenny Gibbs Collection

Pre-European patu onewa (stone hand club), traditional spatulate form reducing to the grip section with hourglass suspension hole with three concentric groves to the butt. Small chip to the blade. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, 34 cm length.

Whalebone Patu Paraoa with Carved Tail/Heart Butt

Ian McMillan carved whalebone patu paraoa, of good proportion with carved whale tail/heart form butt, good weight and thickness. Length 40 cm.

Puta Onewa Stone Club with Flared Butt

18th century or earlier Puta onewa (stone club), unusual reduced butt with flared ends. Two ridges to top. Hourglass form susperison hole. Small chip to blades, length 37 cm

Traditional Whalebone Patu with Soft Patina

Whalebone patu, large example from whalebone in traditional form with soft patina. Square pierced hole for attachment. Length 34 cm. Width 7.4 cm

Whalebone club with flattened butt knob

A patu paraoa (whalebone club), of spatula shape with large flattened butt knob pierced by a slightly irregularly drilled hole. Y registered L.37 cm. From the Collection of Hannah Martha Dillon, nee Carkeek (1881-1963).

Sawtooth Bill: Transformed into Pacifika Cultural Club

A cultural club, probably Pacifika, fashioned from a Sawtooth bill, length 102 cm

A whale bone kotiate (hand club), traditional lobed blade with the handle pierced for suspension terminating in a carved wheku head, height 30 cm,

Maori Whalebone Hand Club with Traditional Design

A 19th century Maori patu Paraoa (whalebone hand club) with traditional wide tapered spatulate blade, reduced grip, circular drilled lashing hole and four concentric incised grooves to the butt with fine detailed ridges, good old colour and patina. Length…

19th Century Whalebone Hand Club

A 19th century patu paraoa (whalebone hand club), traditional broad spatulate blade, reducing to the grip section, with a circular suspension hole. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection. 40 cm length.

Kawakawa Nephrite Hand Club

Mere pounamu by Richard Anderson (nephrite hand club), Kawakawa variety stone. The elongated blade tapering to the grip section. Pierced for wrist suspension with five graduating concentric grooves. Modern 20th century example. 35.5 cm length

Nephrite Hand Club by Alan Brown

Mere pounamu nephrite hand club by Alan brown (ngati Ruaka), fine 20th century example. Kawakawa variety stone with gracefully tapering blade. The handle pierced in the traditional manner with a countersunk suspension hole, 40 cm length

Early Whale Bone Hand Club with Inscription

Patu paraoa, early whale bone hand club with a broad flared blade tapering to the handle section, faint inscription to the blade section. Provenance: This patu came into the possession of the current owner's family from Fiji in the 19th century.

Whale Bone Patu of Traditional Form

Patu paraoa - whale bone patu of classic traditional form, the soft patina pierced with hole for attachment, length 38.5 cm

Spatula-shaped Whalebone Club with Chiseled Hole

A patu paraoa (whalebone club), of spatula shape with flattened butt knob with small flanges, pierced by a square chiseled hole. Y registered L.36 cm. From the Collection of Hannah Martha Dillon, nee Carkeek (1881-1963).

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

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,…

A 19th century or earlier Maori whalebone patu, traditional spatulate blade tapering to the edges, the reduced tapered grip with single groove to the small butt, length 35.3 cm.

Master-Carved Pou with High Relief Figure and Paua Eyes

A hand-chiselled pou by master carver Mel Manu. Carved from a single piece of wood and stained a light brown. A rectangular form with high relief carving depicting a figure holding a patu with a smaller figure between their legs. Paua shell inlaid eyes.…

Rare Greywacke Patu Onewa with Incipient Carved Face

A rare greywacke patu onewa, the pecked blade reducing to the handle section with an incipient carved face to both sides. The blade with three incised lines and chipping to the outer rim. Provenance: Waimea plains, where Maori had numerous agricultural…

Manaia Whalebone Hand Club with Paua Eyes

Wahaika paraoa (whalebone hand club), large early 20th century example with a manaia figure carved to the in-curve of the blade, the handle pieced for suspension and carved with a manaia head with paua shell eyes, 44 cm length

Whalebone Patu: Large Ovoid Form with Pierced Handle

Whalebone patu, extremely large example fashioned from whale bone flattened ovoid form tapering to handle with a pierced hole. Length 46 cm. Width 100 mm

Chatham Islands Avian Morori Patu Okewa

Rare Chatham Islands Morori patu okewa (hand club), abstracted avian form, carved from rekohu schist. Probably used historically for ceremonies or the hunting of seals as the Morori embraced a pacifist culture that avoided all forms of warfare. A similar…

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…