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.

29 items found:

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

A large vintage Maori carved gable mask, in deep relief with…

A large vintage Maori carved gable mask, in deep relief with lineal and notch detail, double spirals to the cheeks, tongue extended and pronounced flared brow. Paua shell inset eyes, height 66.5 cm. Provenance: Purchased/commissioned by an American woman…

Maori folk Art carved mask form bowl the open mouth as the bowl,…

Maori folk Art carved mask form bowl the open mouth as the bowl, length 25 cm.

A large carved wooden Maori mask, with incised moko to face,…

A large carved wooden Maori mask, with incised moko to face, hook to reverse for display, height 64.5 cm.

A contemporary carved Maori short waka hoe by Richard (Rangi)…

A contemporary carved Maori short waka hoe by Richard (Rangi) Redman, the blade back carved with two masks and swirling and notched designs, the butt with further mask, paua insert eyes. Monogrammed to the reverse, length 75 cm.

A vintage Maori carved stylised mask and paua shell bowl, notch…

A vintage Maori carved stylised mask and paua shell bowl, notch and lineal carved detail, paua shell set eyes, one with chip, the bowl as a full paua shell, length 34 cm.

Two woven masks, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, comprising a…

Sepik Region Woven Masks

Two woven masks, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, comprising a woven Gable mask, Black Water Lakes Sepik region, decorated with natural earth pigments and fibre and a woven reed yam mask, Maprik Hills, Sepik Region, the largest mask 20 cm high

A composite stone architectural element modelled as a lion mask,…

19th Century Lion Mask Architectural Element

A composite stone architectural element modelled as a lion mask, 19th century. Height 20 cm, width 35 cm, depth 45 cm. Provenance: Contents of Swanton, Sutton Forest

A gable mask, carved wood and shell with earth pigments, Papua…

Papua New Guinea Gable Mask

A gable mask, carved wood and shell with earth pigments, Papua New Guinea, 63 cm high

A large Maori stylised carved mask, unusually with crosses to…

Maori Cross-Cheek Carved Mask with Red Paint Finish

A large Maori stylised carved mask, unusually with crosses to the cheeks. Old red paint finish. 46 x 10 x 80 cm. Being assessed for registration.

A greenstone decorative mask, height 25 cm, width 18 cm

Greenstone Decorative Mask: 25x18 cm

A greenstone decorative mask, height 25 cm, width 18 cm

Ian McMillan dark hardwood carved wakahuia, plain form with…

Carved Wakahuia with Mask Handles

Ian McMillan dark hardwood carved wakahuia, plain form with scrolling restrained mask carved handles, no lid. Length 41.5 cm.

Ian McMillan restrained carved wakahuia, from an old log…

Carved Wakahuia with Open Work Handles

Ian McMillan restrained carved wakahuia, from an old log section, the two masks forming open work handles at the end, suspended from a plaited rope, carved open with no lid. Length 40 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'wakahuia', of elongated form…

Carved Maori Wakahuia with Lizard and Mask Motifs

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'wakahuia', of elongated form tapering at the ends, the hinged lid carved with lizards and naive Maori masks to either end; the sides carved with further masks and notch designs; colour stained and painted; the interior with…

An early 20th century Maori carved kauri pedestal bowl, the…

Maori Kauri Pedestal Bowl with Koruru Masks and Paua Inserts

An early 20th century Maori carved kauri pedestal bowl, the exterior carved with koruru masks and kowhaiwhai-like designs, original paua inserts and dark stained finish, Rotorua school, diameter 19.5 cm.

19th century or early 20th century Unfinished wooden taiaha,…

Unfinished Wooden Taiaha, 145cm

19th century or early 20th century Unfinished wooden taiaha, crudely shaped tongue and mask, length 145 cm

Late 19th century carved wooden taiaha. Dog fur collar with…

Carved Taiaha with Dog Fur Collar

Late 19th century carved wooden taiaha. Dog fur collar with flax lashing, tongue carved with geometric spirals and notches over tiki mask. Length 155 cm. Y-Number Pending

Rare late 19th century Maori carved TiAnea (armchair) all over…

Maori TiAnea Armchair with Carved Tiki Masks and Paua Inset

Rare late 19th century Maori carved TiAnea (armchair) all over carved with tiki masks, manaia and takarangi spirals with paua shell inset eyes. The seat frame with linear, geometric decoration. Leather covering requires attention. Provenance: Ex John Gow…

An early 20th century Maori carved kauri pedestal bowl the…

Maori Kauri Pedestal Bowl with Koruru Masks and Paua Inserts

An early 20th century Maori carved kauri pedestal bowl the exterior carved with koruru masks and kowhaiwhai-like designs, original paua inserts and dark stained finish, Rotorua school. Diameter 20 cm.

A mid-late 20th century Maori carved putorino (bugle flute)…

Maori Carved Putorino with Masks and Paua Inserts

A mid-late 20th century Maori carved putorino (bugle flute) traditional tapered form with two carved masks, paua inserts, waxed thread binding, length 49 cm. Not registered.

A Maori carved walking stick carved with incipient masks inset…

Maori Walking Stick with Mask and Paua Eyes

A Maori carved walking stick carved with incipient masks inset with paua eyes, below a notch carved finial, the shaft carved with notch patterns, length 93.5 cm.

A pre 19th century Maori carved wooden taiaha. Of unusually…

Long Maori Taiaha with Haehae and Paua Shell Eyes

A pre 19th century Maori carved wooden taiaha. Of unusually long length, haehae and pakati decoration to tongue, oval paua shell eyes to stylised mask. Squared base. Length 192 cm

A 19th century Maori carved tewhatewha. Extensive haehae and…

Maori Carved Tewhatewha with Double Weku Masks

A 19th century Maori carved tewhatewha. Extensive haehae and pakati carving to blade, double weku masks to shaft with paua shell inset. Drilled suspension hole to blade. Height 120 cm

An early 20th century Maori carved large mask, distressed red…

Distressed Maori Mask with Paua Shell Eyes

An early 20th century Maori carved large mask, distressed red paint finish, applied paua shell section eyes, the open mouth with extended tongue, height 76.5 cm.

A late 20th century Maori carved korere (feeding funnel),…

Maori Korere Feeding Funnel with Mask Decoration

A late 20th century Maori carved korere (feeding funnel), tapered circular form with relief mask decoration and paua disc inserts. Length 13.5 cm. Note: the korere was used for the feeding of important men during a tattooing ceremony 'ta moko', it was…

A Maori mask carved from a slab of matai, height 50 cm

Matai Maori Mask - 50 cm Height

A Maori mask carved from a slab of matai, height 50 cm

A large Maori carved wheku mask, with paua ring eyes, open…

Maori Wheku Mask with Paua Eyes and Bifurcated Tongue

A large Maori carved wheku mask, with paua ring eyes, open mouth with protruding bifurcated tongue, the arched brow surmounted by two profile wheku heads. Rotorua area c.1950s. Height 75 cm

A 19th century Maori carved stylised mask, notch, linial and…

Maori Geothermal Mask with Notch and Scrolling Detail

A 19th century Maori carved stylised mask, notch, linial and scrolling detail, the open mouth with white painted teeth to the top, open section below, the mouth reputedly as a geothermal water spout cover, old red paint, crack evident. 28 cm x 6.5 cm x 37…

Caved Maori koruru mask, 23 x 15 cm

Maori Koruru Mask - Carved Wood

Caved Maori koruru mask, 23 x 15 cm

Contemporary Maori carved totem fine traditional carving…

Weathered Maori Totem Mask, 56 cm

Contemporary Maori carved totem fine traditional carving ancestral mask, weathered, 56 cm height