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.

59 items found:

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

An old trolling lure (pa kahawai) with traditional tapered…

Paua-highlighted Trolling Lure

An old trolling lure (pa kahawai) with traditional tapered formed wooden body highlighted to the internal surface with conforming paua panel, carved and lashed barb to the base, lashing to the top. Length 10.5 cm Being assessed for registration

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, a fine, trolling lure with wooden…

Paua-Shell Kahawai Trolling Lure

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, a fine, trolling lure with wooden body, paua-shell -'flashing' inlay to incurve, bone barb and muka binding. Length 9 cm. Width 2 cm

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, a rare, early example; shank made of…

Rare Paua Shell Fishing Lure with Wooden Design

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, a rare, early example; shank made of paua shell. As Maori fishing knowledge increased, wood was added to the design. Paua shell alone was too thin to form strong shanks that could cope with the strain, without point. Lashed…

A 19th century trolling fish hook (pa kahawai), with a paua…

Paua shell trolling fish hook from 19th century

A 19th century trolling fish hook (pa kahawai), with a paua shell body supported on an iron/wire frame which has been bent to form a slightly barbed hook point. Lashed snood, no line. Provenance: Obtained in Southland in the 1950s. Length 10 cm. Width 1.7…

A contact period Maori trolling fish hook (pa kahawai). Fully…

Maori Trolling Fish Hook with Paua Laminate and Bone Point

A contact period Maori trolling fish hook (pa kahawai). Fully lashed with paua laminate to incurve. Bone point. Plaited muka line. Length 9 cm

A contact period Maori trolling fishhook (pa kahawai). Fully…

Lashed Maori Fishhook with Paua Incurve

A contact period Maori trolling fishhook (pa kahawai). Fully lashed with paua laminate to incurve. Bone point. Plaited muka line. Length 8.7 cm

A 19th century trolling fishhook (pa kahawai), with paua shell…

19th Century Paua Shell Trolling Fishhook

A 19th century trolling fishhook (pa kahawai), with paua shell laminate to incurve. Bone point. Lashed muka snood and line. Provenance: in one family since the 1880s. collection begun in 1883 in Dunedin through connections with local Maori. Length 10.3 cm

A contact period Maori trolling fishhook (pa kahawai), with…

Maori Trolling Fishhook with Paua Laminate

A contact period Maori trolling fishhook (pa kahawai), with paua laminate to incurve. Bone point with pronounced barb. Lashed snood and line. Length 11 cm

A Pa kahawai (trolling lure), with paua shell shank, bone hook…

Paua and Bone Trolling Lure

A Pa kahawai (trolling lure), with paua shell shank, bone hook and muka lashing. Length 10 cm. Registration number pending

Rare pa kahawai - fishing lure, fine, early trolling lure with…

Rare Whale Bone Trolling Lure with Paua Inlay

Rare pa kahawai - fishing lure, fine, early trolling lure with whale bone body; paua-shell flashing, inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 12.5 cm. Width 1.8 cm

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua-Shell Trolling Lure with Whale Bone Barb

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell flashing, inlay to in-curve; whale bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 12 cm. Width 2 cm

Rare pa kahawai - fishing lure, fine, early trolling lure with…

Rare Whale Bone Trolling Lure with Paua Inlay

Rare pa kahawai - fishing lure, fine, early trolling lure with whale bone body and paua-shell flashing inlay to the in-curve. Bone barb with natural fibre binding. Attached line. Length 11 cm. Width 1.8 cm

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, early trolling lure with wooden body;…

Paua Inlaid Wooden Trolling Lure

Pa kahawai - fishing lure, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell flashing, inlay to in-curve; barb missing with muka binding and line. Length 11 cm. Width 1.8 cm

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Fine, trolling lure with wooden body;…

Paua-Shell Trolling Lure with Whale Bone Barb

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Fine, trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell flashing, inlay to in-curve; whale bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 10 cm. Width 1.7 cm.

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Trolling lure with wooden body;…

Paua Inlay Trolling Lure with Bone Barb

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell flashing, inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 8.5 cm. Width 1.6 cm.

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Large and fine example with wooden…

Paua-Shell Kahawai Lure with Bone Barb

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Large and fine example with wooden body; paua-shell flashing, inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 11.6 cm. Width 1.8 cm.

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Trolling lure with wooden body;…

Paua-shell trolling lure with bone barb

Pa kahawai - fishing lure. Trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell flashing, inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 11.2 cm. Width 2.2 cm.

Pa Kahawai (Fishing lure) with paua shell shank, iron hook with…

Paua Shell Pa Kahawai Lure with Muka Line

Pa Kahawai (Fishing lure) with paua shell shank, iron hook with muka lashing and original muka line. Y13647. Length 13 cm

Pa Kahawai with wooden shank, paua shell inlay & iron hook…

Paua Inlaid Kahawai Hook with Wooden Shank - Y10621

Pa Kahawai with wooden shank, paua shell inlay & iron hook Y10621. Length 9 cm

Significant Collection of Amateur Field Finds, 1920. Five…

Amateur Field Finds Collection Including Whalebone Hook

Significant Collection of Amateur Field Finds, 1920. Five artefacts mounted on old card including 'The Milford Hook' thought to be the second-largest whalebone hook in existence. Offers a refined orthodox style; each end terminates with utilitarian barb…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Kahawai Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Collection number inscribed in white and black ink: 'Web.Coll 1479 N.Z. 29'. Length 10.5 cm. Width 2 cm.…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. Light, wooden body and reflective paua…

Reflective Wooden Kahawai Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. Light, wooden body and reflective paua inlay; barbed iron with muka lashing. Length 12 cm. Width 9 cm. Kenneth Athol Webster collection No. 583, New Zealand. The Brad Bradley collection circa 1960s. Private collection, New Zealand

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. Classic form with wooden body;…

Paua Inlay Kahawai Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. Classic form with wooden body; reflective paua inlay to in-curve. Barbed bone point with muka lashing. Length 9 cm. Width 1.9 cm. Private collection, New Zealand

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A contact period trolling lure with…

Paua-shell Kahawai Trolling Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A contact period trolling lure with shell body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; backbone made from an old nail; muka binding and line. Collection number inscribed in black ink: 'Web Coll 1274'. Length 10.5 cm. Width 1.8…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A rare, blacklip pearl-shell-bodied…

Rare Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A rare, blacklip pearl-shell-bodied trolling lure with reflective 'flashing' side to in-curve; bone barb with fine binding. Old collection label inscribed in red ink: '461'. Webster collection stamp. Length 11.4 cm. Width 2 cm.…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Kahawai Trolling Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 12 cm. Width 1.7 cm. Private Collection, New Zealand

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua-shell inlaid wooden trolling lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb and muka binding and line; small traces of muka teaser remain. Old collection label inscribed in blue ink: '997'. Length 9.3 cm.…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua inlay wooden trolling lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb and muka binding and line; small traces of muka teaser remain. Collection number inscribed in black ink: 'Web Coll 1105'. Length 9.2…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Trolling Lure from New Zealand Collection

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line; small traces of teaser remain. Collection number inscribed in white paint: 'Web Coll 1484 N.Z. 29.C'.…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua-Shell Inlay Trolling Lure with Bone Barb

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Collection number inscribed in black ink: 'Web Col 1538'. Length 13 cm. Width 1.8 cm. Kenneth Athol…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Kahawai Fishing Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb and muka binding. Collection number inscribed in white ink: 'Web Coll 512'. Length 8 cm. Width 1.5 cm. Kenneth Athol Webster…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Wooden Trolling Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb and muka binding. Collection number inscribed in white ink: 'Web Coll 1268'. Length 9 cm. Width 1.8 cm

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Wooden Fishing Lure with Bone Barb

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Length 13.8 cm. Width 2 cm. Private Collection, New Zealand

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A trolling lure with wooden body;…

Paua Inlay Trolling Lure with Bone Barb

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding and line. Collection number inscribed in white paint: '47264'; two old labels: '230 Rawene' and 'Edward Armytage Collection'.…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Shell Kahawai Fishing Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb and muka binding and line. Collection number inscribed in black ink: 'Webster Coll 619'. Length 10.5 cm. Width 1.8 cm. Kenneth Athol…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Kahawai Fishing Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb with muka binding. Collection number inscribed in black ink: 'Web.Coll 1102'. Length 11.5 cm. Width 2 cm. Kenneth Athol Webster…

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with…

Paua Inlay Kahawai Fishing Lure

Pa Kahawai Fishing Lure. A fine, early trolling lure with wooden body; paua-shell 'flashing' inlay to in-curve; bone barb and muka binding and line. Collection number inscribed in black ink: 'Web Col 1539'. Length 10 cm. Width 1.5 cm. Kenneth Athol…

A 19th century Maori trolling lure (pa kahawai), the mildly…

19th Century Maori Trolling Lure with Paua Shell Panel

A 19th century Maori trolling lure (pa kahawai), the mildly curved and domed wooden back with paua shell fitted panel, bone barb, original fine muka lashings to the barb and top end. Length 10.5 cm

18th century or earlier Maori composite trolling hook (pa…

Maori Trolling Hook with Bone Point and Shell Inlay

18th century or earlier Maori composite trolling hook (pa kahawai) bone point with internal barb, wooden shank with paua shell inlay and lashing, length 10 cm

A late 19th century / early 20th century pa kahawai (Trolling…

Paua Shell Trolling Fish Hook on Stand

A late 19th century / early 20th century pa kahawai (Trolling fish hook). Wooden shank, paua shell laminate and lashed bone barb. On stand. Length 14.5 cm

Late 19th century / early 20th century pa kahawai (Trolling…

Paua Trolling Hook with Lashed Bone Barb

Late 19th century / early 20th century pa kahawai (Trolling fish hook). Wooden shank, paua shell laminate and lashed bone barb. On stand. Length 15 cm

19th century Maori pa kahawai (Trolling fish hook). Wooden…

Maori Trolling Fish Hook

19th century Maori pa kahawai (Trolling fish hook). Wooden shank, paua shell laminate and lashed bone barb. Provenance: Webster collection no.1639. Length 8.5 cm

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai (Trolling fish hook). Wooden…

19th Century Maori Trolling Fish Hook

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai (Trolling fish hook). Wooden shank, paua shell laminate and lashed bone barb. Length 9 cm. Provenance: Webster collection no.354

A 19th century Maori bone pa kahawai Shank. Hour glass form…

Maori Bone Shank with Hour Glass Suspension Hole

A 19th century Maori bone pa kahawai Shank. Hour glass form suspension hole. Grooved lashing point for barb. Provenance: Webster collection no.1456. Length 9 cm

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai trolling lure, the mildly…

Maori Paua Shell Trolling Lure with Bone Barb

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai trolling lure, the mildly curved and domed wooden back with paua shell fitted panel, the bone barb notched and tapered, original fine muka lashings to the barb and top end. Length 12 cm.

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai trolling lure, the mildly…

19th Century Maori Trolling Lure with Paua Shell Panel

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai trolling lure, the mildly curved and domed wooden back with paua shell fitted panel, long bone barb, original fine muka lashings to the barb and top end. Length 13.8 cm.

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai (trolling lure), the wooden…

Maori Paua Shell Trolling Lure

A 19th century Maori pa kahawai (trolling lure), the wooden back with paua shell lined face, the bone barb lashed with muka, length of muka to trolling end. Length 10 cm. Provenance: Ex. A private Auckland estate.

A contact period pa kahawai fishing hook. Paua shell shank with…

Paua Shell Hook for Kahawai Fishing

A contact period pa kahawai fishing hook. Paua shell shank with iron barb, lashed with woven muka fibre. Height 11 cm, width 2 cm

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), paua shell shank with iron ship's…

Paua Shell Trolling Lure with Iron Hook

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), paua shell shank with iron ship's nail hook, 6 cm length

Pa kahawai (Trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell…

Paua and Bone Trolling Lure - 11cm Length

Pa kahawai (Trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell to the wooden shank and bone barb with muka lashing, 11 cm length .

A contact period pa kahawai fishing hook, contact period pa…

Kahawai Trawling Lure with Paua Inlay

A contact period pa kahawai fishing hook, contact period pa kahawai (trawling lure) with long twisted muka rope and binding. Paua shell inlaid into the native timber (appears to be totora) body terminating in a fine slender hook point. In presentation…

A pa kahawai fishing hook, pa kahawai (trawling lure) of…

Paua Inlay Kahawai Hook in Presentation Frame

A pa kahawai fishing hook, pa kahawai (trawling lure) of generous proportions with paua shell inlay and fine muka binding. In presentation frame with Uv glass. 41 cmmm x 27 cm. Private collection - Paris

A 19th century pa kahawai (trolling fish hook), wooden shank,…

19th Century Pakahawai Trolling Fish Hook with Paua Shell

A 19th century pa kahawai (trolling fish hook), wooden shank, paua shell laminate and muka lashed bone hook with attached muka line. 10 cm length

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell…

Paua and Bone Trolling Lure - 11cm

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell to the wooden shank and bone barb with muka lashing, 11 cm length.

A pa kahawai fishing hook, Aotearoa. A contact period pakahawai…

Paua Inlaid Pakahawai Fishing Hook

A pa kahawai fishing hook, Aotearoa. A contact period pakahawai (trawling lure) with fine twisted muka rope and binding. Paua shell inlaid into the native timber body terminating in a robust whalebone hook barb on a custom walnut wooden stand., used for…

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell…

Paua Shell Trolling Lure with Bone Barb

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell affixed to the wooden shank and bone barb with muka lashing, 10 cm length.

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell…

Paua and Bone Trolling Lure - 10cm Length

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), the two piece hook with paua shell shank and bone barb with muka lashing, 10 cm length.

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), paua laminate separated, hook…

Broken 12cm Kahawai Trolling Lure with Missing Hook

Pa kahawai (trolling lure), paua laminate separated, hook broken away and missing, 12 cm length.

A 19th century pa kahawai (trolling lure), unusually large size…

19th Century Pa Kahawai Trolling Lure with Paua Shell Shank

A 19th century pa kahawai (trolling lure), unusually large size with wood and paua shell shank and bone hook with muka lashing. Length 17 cm, Provenance: Private Collection Holland