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Oceanic & African Arts (New Zealand lots only) — Webb's

Auction House:Webb'sNumber of lots recorded:148
Sale Title:Oceanic & African Arts (New Zealand lots only)Lots with images:141
Auction Location:AucklandPrices available:100
Date:28-Mar-2012
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Transitional nutcracker set, a hollowed bowl with raised centre column capped with a brass end together with a small gavel both of which are completely carved with fine decoration. Wood shell and brass. bowl. Length 6.2 cm. Width 20 cm. Depth 20 cm. Gavel. Length 23.5 cm. Width 5.5 cm. Depth 2.5 cm
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Scrimshaw whale tooth, interesting Antarctic referenced sperm whale tooth with poker-worked design with images of a Russian ship and a seabird. Inscribed 'N.Z. Cambole Station (Possibly Meteorological Station at Campbell Island) From Ss. 'Gnevny'. USSR. 14-15/I 65'. Length 17 cm. Width 5.5 cm
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Early waka kereru, a pigeon snaring water trough of classic large proportions. Rich weathered patina. Found in Pongahuru Valley bush Taumaranui in the late 19th century and passed to the current owner in 1972. Length 17.1 cm. Width 1.6 cm. Depth 1.5 cm
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Group of kete, fine group of kete. Three with feathers attached and one plain muka kete. Height 22 cm. Width 22 cm. Max
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Fine shark spine cane, a well constructed unusual cane with stacked shark spine and a wooden handle and tip. Length 83 cm. Width 3 cm
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Early waka kereru, a rectangular hollowed pigeon-snaring water trough of classic large proportions. Mid brown weathered patina. Length 160.5 cm. Width 15.3 cm
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Hoe, low relief carving of double haehae and zigzag motifs decorate the top surface of the blade and at regular intervals along the shaft. Mid-brown patina. Length 156 cm. Width 14.5 cm
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Carved Maori presentation set, a fine presentation set fully carved with Tiki and Manaia figures. H'h' H'h' and dog tooth tching and inlaid paua detail. Together with cigarette case match box holder pen and ink wells. Length 37.7 cm. Width 21.5 cm. Depth 5.5 cm
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Prestigious wakahuia, in orthodox ovoid form the lid offers less than six impressive raurau motifs in the rare double haehae style. Concise pakati throughout the lid surface underscores the superior craftsmanship of the carver. The base of the wakahuia offers ather six complete raurau forms framed by deeply geometric haehae. The body is guarded by two wide eyed manaia with extended tongues and lips adorned with finely carved moko. The internal surfaces are dry and have a shell worn appearance. The lid and…
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Early and superb waka huia, prestigious carving displayed throughout the entire form of the vessel. Complex triple haehae patterns are interlaced with fine graduating pakati (dog tooth notching). The base is guarded by two opposing tiki which offer accentuated swept back foreheads and complex top-kts. The entire tiki forms are finely detailed with each extending the tongue back into the base form of the wakahuia. The overall carving style suggests both purposeful balance and organic symmetry. Recently…
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Fine waka huia base, finely carved cocoon shaped vessel guarded by two tiki figures each offering detailed facial carving and tched paua eyes. The composition of the base is anchored by a beautiful combination of rauponga which spiral out in an orthodox rarua form centred ribbing extends from either side of the rarua to connect each tiki. Each quadrant of the base is decorated with highly refined triple haehae and pakati combinations displayed in diagonal form with each row of pakati carved in opposing…
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Superb wahaika, all over deep relief linear h'h' carving to blade. Male and female coupling figures to incurve with hands wrapped around torso with carved moko to chins and cheek. Masks with protruding split tongue to either side of handle above a finely carved manaia with protruding tongue. Pierced hole for attachment with natural muka cord attached. Wood shell muka. Late 19th century. Height 35.5 cm. Width 15 cm
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Superb kotiate, finely carved with a beautifully symmetrical blade above a tubular handle with a powerfully resolved manaia form which guards the Kotiate and its master. Legend has it that a chief carrying such weapon would often challenge the opposing chief to a single combat. The first to achieve three blows won the duel and often the war. Length 35 cm. Width 13.5 cm. Depth 2.3 cm
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Tekoteko-ancestral figure, traditionally elongated head form offers finely carved moko suggesting the high status of subject matter. Strong minimalistic brow line terminates at the centre to create the crest of the se which offers kuru/spiral motifs. The lip and chin region continues the depiction of complex moko. Hands come to rest on the chest with the left hand embracing the right. The abstracted body form is decorated with multiple spiral formations with the lower back and buttock displaying further…
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Important poutokomanawa carved by anaha te rahui (1822-1913), the Poutokomanawa forms the central support post of the Whare Whakairo or meeting house. It traditionally depicts the captain of an ancestral cae or ather figure of societal importance radiating the mana and prestige of its people. The Whare Whakairo itself represents a primal ancestor with the Poutokomanawa holding up its backbone and imbuing the structure with physical and spiritual strength.Recently repatriated from Europe this superb…
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Transitional lidded bowl, carved hollowed bowl seated on a fluted base guarded by four boldly carved tiki motifs. Triple h'h' design and pakati tching overall. The lid also fully carved with tiki figure handle. Inset paua to base rim and eyes. Rich dark patina. Length 23 cm. Width 18 cm
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Rare Maori figure, a rare standing figure with ovoid head and incised moko carving to forehead and cheeks. Raised facial features with a heart shaped mouth showing a protruding tongue robust body with bent arms resting on stomach and cylindrical slightly bent legs resting on a raised square base with some loss. Early woven muka skirt surrounds the torso. Rich dark early patina. Length 25.8 cm. Width 6 cm
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Patu paraoa-whalebone carver's mallet, a fine and rare master carver's mallet made of a whale jawbone. Beautifully balanced with concave strike surface. Soft shoulder lines narrow and terminate into masterfully carved and finely detailed manaia head. Highly resolved. Length 25 cm. Width 4.9 cm
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Carving tool, a rarely seen object with a harakeke handle bound with fine muka binding with attached toki pounamu blade. Length 7.8 cm. Width 3 cm
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Early Chatham Islands patu, extremely rare stone patu in classic Chatham Island form. Flattened ovoid shaped body tapering to flattened tubular shaped handle with possible carving to end. Made from schist this was most likely used to kill seals. Moriori. Classic/Archaic period. Length 29.5 cm. Width 11.5 cm
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Mere pounamu, a fine large example with excellent colour incised grooves to butt with pierced drilled hole. Restored fracture across blade. Length 36.5 cm. Width 12 cm.
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Mere pounamu, a good example in orthodox form with excellent colour incised grooves to butt with pierced drilled hole. Length 42 cm. Width 13.2 cm
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Whalebone taiaha fragment, fully carved tongue and mouth decorated with Haehae and dog tooth notching. Raised se and two incised eyes. Pierced hole for suspension. Weathered dry patina. Length 16 cm. Width 4.8 cm
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Fine wahaika, of classic form with a large rounded blade a masterfully carved manaia form sitting to the incurve and another finely carved head to the butt of the weapon both inlaid with paua shell (some loss) and a pierced hole to base of handle for attachment. Soft creamy patina. Length 33.5 cm. Width 14 cm
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Patu onewa, extremely large example with round cross section and flattened blade. This unfinished patu shows one of the steps of the manufacturing process. Overall pecked surface. Greywacke. Length 39.2 cm. Width 12 cm
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Rare chiefly taiaha. The taiaha is a traditional Maori weapon usually between five to six feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) in length. It is a wooden close-quarters weapon used for short sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts. It has three main parts. The arero (tongue) used for stabbing the opponent and parrying. The upoko (head) the base from which the tongue protrudes and ate (liver) the long flat blade used for striking and parrying.Mau rakau is the martial art that teaches the use of the taiaha and other Maori weapons…
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Chiefly taiaha, exceptional finely carved head with elaborate swept back forehead and recessed eyes. Strongly carved se with upper lip decorated with dragon tooth tching (niho taniwha). Tongue is beautifully executed and terminates into a sharp tip. The upoko (head) is adorned with a tauri (collar) bound with early trade material which is further decorated with prestigious kuri dog hair. Large strike blade is finely balanced and completed with a broad round formed tip. Rich brown patina. Height 139 cm.…
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Early child's taiaha, of early manufacture and finely carved head offering an elaborately swept-back forehead with raised circular recessed eyes. Strongly carved nose and tongue is beautifully executed and terminates with a pointed tip. The blade is well balanced and completed with a broad round formed end. mid brown patina. Height 96 cm. Width 4.7 cm
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Taiaha, of orthodox form with tightly carved h'h' lines and dog-tooth notching. Inset paua to one eye. Light brown patina. Height 141 cm. Width 5.8 cm
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Early taiaha, a well carved head with ovoid raised eyes. Short strike blade is finely balanced and completed with broad round form tip. Soft red brown patina. Length 104 cm. Width 4.3 cm.
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Fine tewhatewha, in orthodox form decorated with haehae lines and dog-tooth tching to the shaft. Rich dark patina. Height 144 cm. Width 14 cm
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Fine tewhatewha, a well balanced weapon in orthodox form with abstracted manaia adorning the shaft. Deep rich patina. Height 145 cm. Width 13.5 cm
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Early giant tewhatewha, in orthodox gigantic form with chiefly status as a weapon of command. The significant size suggests it was a 'war maker' used to stake the ground which was to be fought for and protected. Some impact damage apparent on blade. Manaia with paua missing on lower shaft. Rich dark patina. Height 150 cm. Width 26.7 cm
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Finely carved hoe, fully carved for use by high ranking person. Orthodox leaf shaped blade offers two complex manaia decorated with rauponga and paua eyes. Mid brown patina. Height 149.3 cm. Width 12.5 cm
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Hoe-paddle, nicely carved small example with orthodox leaf shaped blade. Carved missionary style text to inside middle of blade 'R.Tawha' with deep carved motifs to top. Rich dark patina. Length 119.5 cm. Width 9 cm
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Hoe-paddle, well carved example with orthodox leaf shaped blade. Carved missionary style text to inside top of blade 'Hare'. Warm dark patina. Length 153.5 cm. Width 14.8 cm
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Carved walking stick, a superb example with rounded top above a finely carved chiefly figure holding a paua shell mere and enveloped in a cloak. h'h' dog tooth and lineal decoration to shaft. Length 90.5 cm. Width 4.5 cm
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Patiti-axe with wooden handle, Maori Land Wars (1845-1872) steel trade axe head unstamped. Wooden handle with carving to the top of shaft with inset paua eyes base of the handle terminates with a manaia head. Round suspension hole. Length 34.2 cm. Width 14.7 cm
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Maori carved walking stick fragment, heavily worked top. Showing fine carving style with inset paua. Length 42 cm. Width 2 cm
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Hoe-paddle, small carved example with orthodox leaf shaped blade. some damage to terminating edge of blade. Warm dark patina. Length 137.5 cm. Width 12.2 cm
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Rare patu, of spatula form with knobbed end which is incised with a groove. Blackened brown patina. Length 36 cm. Width 10.9 cm
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Stone cannon ball, a small cannon ball from the Maori land war period 1845 and 1872. Made from pecked and smoothed Greywacke, diameter 8 cm
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Hafted adze, good example of an early working adze with a more recent carved wood handle and binding. Length 46 cm. Width 34 cm
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Patu, low relief carving to blade with h'h' lines and dog tooth notching inlaid paua shell. Coloured muka cord attached to handle. Length 36.5 cm. Width 10 cm
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Patu, low relief carving to blade with triple haehae lines and zig zag design circular shaped inlaid paua shell. Pierced hole to butt. Mid-brown patina. Length 45 cm. Width 11 cm
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Patu, low relief carving to blade with triple haehae lines and zig zag design circular shaped inlaid paua shell. Pierced hole to butt. Mid-brown patina. Length 46 cm. Width 9.7 cm
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Patu, low relief carving to blade with triple haehae lines and dog tooth notching triangle shaped inlaid paua shell. Length 37 cm. Width 11 cm
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Carved architectural element-whakaw', an old carved timber lintel piece with three standing figures with hands in various positions on stomach. Raurau (spiral) design on one side. Mid-brown aged patina. 18th-19th century. Length 67 cm. Width 8.8 cm
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