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Important Oceanic and African Art; Natural History, Curiosities and Oddities — Webb's

Auction House:Webb'sNumber of lots recorded:346
Sale Title:Important Oceanic and African Art; Natural History, Curiosities and OdditiesLots with images:340
Auction Location:AucklandPrices available:217
Date:14-Sep-2013
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Prestigious Konda knife, superb example. Blade in the form of a standing figure with right arm raised towards the head, top of blade stylised with a face. Exaggerated thighs tapering to metal bound handle. Linear zigzag decoration to blade and arms. Height 40 cm. Width 18.8 cm
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Basikasingo figure, fine figure with arms resting to stomach, broad shoulders, elongated neck, coffee bean shaped eyes, with elongated nose and large coiffure. Evidence of fetish to top of head. Height 40 cm. Width 12 cm
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Bakongo figure, beautifully carved, depicting a standing male with raised facial features and inset glass eyes. Attached cloth to top of head, raised square fetish hole to torso, arms resting to sides. On a raised base. Rich well used patina. Democratic Republic of Congo. Height 35 cm. Width 9.8 cm
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Ekoi headdress, in the form of a head with raised facial features, inset bone eyes and mouth, two tapering horns to top. Pierced hole at base for attachment. Black painted patina. Height 38 cm. Width 13 cm
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Superb Dan mask, of hollowed form with pointed chin, pierced rim for attachment, mouth pierced, superbly carved lips, circular pierced eyes below a raised forehead. Wears an encrusted tightly woven beard. Rich dark patina. Ivory Coast. Length 35 cm. Width 12.2 cm
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Chokwe female figure, striking coiffure, heart shaped facial plane with raised features, elongated neck, arms and legs slightly bent. Reddish brown patina. Height 34 cm. Width 7.2 cm
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Guru Pulley, a fine pulley with a figural animal head with large horns to top, elongated neck, rectangular body. Rich, dark brown patina. Height 20 cm. Width 6 cm
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Lobi figure ovoid head, raised facial features, arms lifted, elongated cylindrical torso with protruding belly button, legs slightly bent. Height 35 cm. Width 19 cm
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Luba mask, rectangular hollowed mask with raised central median ridge running to the back of the head rectangular protruding nose and linear carved features. Black and white natural pigment. Height 34 cm. Width 21.2 cm
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Fanti figure, a fine female standing figure the cylindrical torso with protruding breasts and navel, a lobed neck supporting the head with stylised features and an elaborate coiffure that rests on the ears. Scarification incisions decorate the body; glass-bead strand adorn the hips. Light-brown patina with traces of kaolin. Ghana. Length 42.5 cm. Width 10 cm
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Bamana headdress Chiawara rare example of an equestrian figure with rider dominating his mount. Raised facial features, with an elaborate coiffure, abstracted horns, rising from the back of the rider. Linear and triangular decoration overall. Rich brown patina. Height 62 cm. Width 11.4 cm
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Bamana headdress Chiawara. Rising from a rectangular base, a small long eared animal carrying an antelope on its back, with curved body, four protruding horns, circular and linear decoration overall. Mali. Height 50 cm. Width 22 cm
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Kuba bowl, hollowed with overall incised linear decoration, resting on four tapering feet. Dark brown well-used patina. Height 26 cm. Diameter 19 cm
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Congo figure 19th century standing figure, one extended arm, raised facial features, top knot to head, bound with early trade cloth. Mid brown dry patina, traces of black pigment. Height 30 cm. Width 9 cm
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Fine Kota reliquary figure, a hollowed, oval-shaped face with overlaid cross pattern to inside a triangular elongated nose and dome-shaped eyes. Punched with circular decoration to top rim. Cylindrical, elongated neck leading to the body in diamond form. Back is undecorated. Wood and overlaid metal. Gabon. Height 56.5 cm. Width 28.5 cm
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Fine Baule figure, a female figure standing on a round base with slightly bent legs, hands resting upon the abdomen; the braided coiffure is finely worked; the torso, back, neck and face are decorated with scarification marks in high relief. Rich dark patina. Height 39 cm. Width 7.6 cm
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Zaramo figure, highly stylised female torso with a crested head. Used by female initiates during seclusion and coming-out ceremonies. Rich brown patina. Tanzania. Length 18 cm. Width 4.8 cm
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Gelede mask, representing a human face with the coiffure and head adornment decorated with incised chevron and cross designs finely carved facial features and a pierced rim for attachment. Wood with a polychrome patina of red, black and green. Nigeria. Length 20 cm. Width 19 cm. Diameter 30 cm
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Fine Kuba cup, a beautiful kuba cup representing an anthropomorphic standing figure; carved hands rest to the hip; coiffure decorated with a cross-hatched pattern; fine scarification to the face, legs and torso; two large curved horns elegantly frame the head. Rich glossy patina. Democratic Republic of the Congo. Height 26 cm. Width 11.5 cm
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Songye figure standing figure made from dense hardwood. Carved half moon shaped eyes, triangulated nose, protruding rectangular mouth. Arms resting to torso, legs slightly bent and standing on a raised base. Height 42 cm. Width 9.5 cm
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Yoruba beaded Crown, a spectacular example used by the Yoruba Kings in Nigeria. Yoruba rulers wear crowns on state occasions and during public functions a built-up, hollowed, cup-shaped base with raised facial features and animal form standing above; the Crown is then embellished over the entire surface with multi-coloured beads. Nigeria. Length 27 cm. Width 25 cm
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Bembe staff top, figural carving of a male holding a horn and knife. Raised facial features with inset glass eyes. Scarification to torso, large tapering feet, light brown patina with blackened highlights. Height 44.5 cm. Width 7 cm
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Bari figure ovoid head with raised forehead, circular ears, pierced eyes and open mouth, short arms resting to sides, slightly tapering legs with protruding rectangular feet. Tanzania. Refer 'The tribal arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart page 198. Height 43 cm. Width 8 cm
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Kuba female figure, fine figure with raised facial features, scarification to torso with arms resting on stomach. Rich brown patina with traces of red pigment. Height 44 cm. Width 9 cm
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Tuareg Tent post Ehel, posts were used in a tent to hold a long eseber wall mat, which was placed around the bed to define space and create privacy. Hardwood, with carved designs on both sides. Length 114 cm. Width 14.4 cm
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Holo figure ovoid head, raised facial features, elongated neck, arms resting to stomach. Height 28 cm. Width 7.6 cm
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Yoruba head Yoruba wooden carved bust with plaited coiffure and raised carved features. Natural pigments decorate face. Central Nigeria. Height 24.5 cm. Width 17.5 cm
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Songye mask, rectangular hollowed mask with a raised arch plate shaped median ridge running to the back of the head, triangular protruding nose and lineal carving overall. Black, white and red natural pigment. Height 51 cm. Width 19.2 cm
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Zulu headrest, flattened top and rectangular base supported by five carved columns. Light brown patina with blackened highlights. Old label affixed to top. Length 38 cm. Width 12 cm
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Early ivory Divination Tappers two ivory divination tappers with fine patination and cross hatched carved handles. 18th-19th century. Divination objects enabled communication with gods, spirits and ancestors. This ritual was practiced to explain and prevent misfortunes and influence one's fate the tappers were tapped to summon and welcome the spirits the quality of the pieces was important to the diviner's status and inspired confidence in their skill. Length 75 cm. Width 6 cm. Length 70 cm. Width 5.5 cm
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Kwere shrine, hollowed cylindrical form supported by three tapering legs. Square backboard with raised carved head to top. Rich well used patina. Tanzania. Published in Marc Leo Felix's 'Mwana Hiti', fig 180. Exhibited in 'African Art: the collection of Jon Draud', Tennessee state Museum, Nashville, USA, 2012. Published in exhibition catalogue 'Transformations: the African Art of change' 2012. Height 29 cm. Width 17.2 cm
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Pokot stool, small with well carved tapering legs and flattened circular top. Kenya. Length 17.5 cm. Width 15 cm
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Ijaw mask fragment Fragmented mask with raised head to bottom, fibre for attachment to top. Blackened patina, with traces of red pigment. Height 30 cm. Width 4.8 cm
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Madagascar figure standing mother and child figure, strong facial features with blackened coiffure and skirt. Standing on a rectangular base. Light brown patina. Height 38 cm. Width 10 cm
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Baule Pulley, a fine pulley with a figural head showing raised facial features to top, elongated neck and rectangular body. Rich, dark brown patina. Height 19 cm. Width 5 cm
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Early bronze pipe, good early well used example with chevron decoration to bowl on a custom mounted stand. Height 10 cm. Width 7 cm
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African sword and knife (2) Tuareg sword and scabbard with two leather and metal hoops for attachment. Collected from Kano, Nigeria. Together with a Falani, Tibbu dagger with leather handle and sheath. Northern Nigeria, Africa. Length 88 cm. Width 11.5 cm. Length 32.5 cm. Width 3.8 cm
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Fine paddle wooden paddle with teardrop shaped blade with incised carving. Medium brown patina. Length 155 cm. Width 14 cm
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Two Zulu spoons, of classic form with carved decoration. One with attached beads. Rich brown patina with blackened highlights. Height 33 cm. Width 6 cm. Height 33.5 cm. Width 5 cm
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Masai stool, small stool with coloured inlaid beads to top. Light brown patina. Height 21 cm. Width 20 cm
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Lega mask, fine lega mask. An elongated oval face offers raised, pierced eyes, framed by arched brows, leading to a long nose with a small mouth below. Attached fibre beard, fine light brown patina with traces of kaolin. Height 13 cm. Width 10 cm
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Lega figure standing figure with arms resting to sides, slightly bent legs, on a raised base. Circular decoration to body and legs. Rich golden patina. Height 18.2 cm. Width 5 cm
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Ituri mask, a fine and rare hollowed mask. Pierced half moon shaped eyes, raised elongated nose and rectangular mouth. Pierced rim for attached fibre surround. Traces of white, black and red pigment good early patina. Published in Marc length Felix, 'Ituri' plate 26. Height 24 cm. Width 15 cm. (mask only)
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Important toki poutangata handle, a fine and important carved toki poutangata a carved wood handle with a full figure at the top of the blade representing John Ballance (realistic) the figure, seated with arms resting stark, legs slightly bent, feet extending into a carved manaia head the face of the figure features traditional moko and blackened coiffure and moustache. Two large masks guard the figure and lead to a carved platform for attachment of a prestigious toki. All over carving with double haehae…
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Carved architectural element, side facing manaia of flattened rectangular form, large carved mouth, large protruding tongue held by hand, inlaid shell eye, red-wash patina with traces of white paint to teeth. Length 47 cm. Width 26 cm. Diameter 6 cm
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Carved architectural element, dominant tiki figure, heavily carved double haehae and dog tooth notching. Dry red washed patina with traces of white paint to teeth. Length 154 cm. Width 26 cm. Diameter 2.5 cm
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Carved architectural element, flattened square form, large mouth, carved in a figure eight design, slightly protruding tongue, large eyes (shell inlay missing) highly decorated surface with varied triple and double haehae and fine notching. Red-wash patina. Length 38 cm. Width 35 cm. Diameter 5.2 cm
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Carved architectural element, flattened rectangular form, large mouth, carved in a figure eight design, slightly protruding tongue, inlaid shell eyes, (one missing) highly decorated surface with varied triple and double haehae and fine notching. Red-wash patina, traces of black paint. Length 38 cm. Width 27 cm. Diameter 4 cm
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Superb wahaika, blade carved all over with deep relief linear haehae carving. Male figure to incurve with hands wrapped around torso finely carved manaia end with protruding tongue. Pierced hole for attachment. Length 39 cm. Width 11 cm
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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 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. Found by Henry Walton in the 1800's while bush clearing (milling kauri)…
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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
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Wahaika deep strong carving style in the form of a manaia face. Two inset eyes and a mouth with tongue protruding. All over decoration of triple haehae and pataki notching small head to base of handle also with inlaid eyes. Pierced hole with attached harakeke cord. Length 39.5 cm. Width 13.5 cm
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Whalebone patu, large example from whalebone in traditional form with soft patina. Square pierced hole for attachment. Length 34 cm. Width 7.4 cm
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Whalebone patu, fine example carved from whalebone traditional form with soft patina. Pierced square hole for attachment
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Mere pounamu, a highly valued and potent cultural symbol of mana (authority and prestige) as well as an effective weapon during the pre-musket era. Mere of this form are rare and hard to come by. Hourglass pierced suspension hole. Three carved ridges to butt. Variating light to green pounamu. Length 26.6 cm. Width 8.4 cm
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Whalebone patu, the club carved from whalebone in traditional form with soft patina. Pierced hole for attachment. Length 43.4 cm. Width 9.4 cm
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Chiefly tewhatewha, of superb and well-balanced form with a deeply carved detail to shaft, pierced hole to head with two bundles of attached hawk feathers. Deep, rich, dark brown, smokey patina. Length 134 cm. Width 16.6 cm
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Tewhatewha, of orthodox form with long tapering shaft. Pierced hole in striking head for attachment of feathers. Dark, rich patina. Length 1146 cm. Width 14 cm
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Prestigious tewhatewha, of superb and well-balanced form with a deeply carved detail to shaft. Pierced hole to large and well proportioned head. Soft, rich, dark brown patina. Length 138 cm. Width 19 cm
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Chiefly taiaha, intricately carved tongue with haehae and pakati notching, strong mouth with spiral carving leading to a well defined nose and eyes which are missing paua inlays. Well balance flattened cylindrical shaft leading to a flared striking edge the taiaha is a traditional Maori weapon usually between 5 to 6 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…
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Pair of rare cased huia, in superb condition with both male and female huia perched on branches in a square glass display the huia is one of New Zealand's best known extinct birds because of its bill shape, its sheer beauty, and special place in Maori culture and oral tradition the bird was regarded by Maori as tapu (sacred), and the wearing of its skin or feathers was reserved for individuals of high status the huia was a bird of deep metallic, bluish-black plumage with a greenish iridescence on the upper…
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Huia feather, the huia's feathers were valued highly and exchanged for other valuable goods such as greenstone and shark teeth, or given as tokens of friendship and respect. Through this trade, the feathers reached the far north and the far south of New Zealand they were stored in intricately carved boxes, waka huia, which were hung from the rafters. Length 20.6 cm. Width 4.4 cm
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Shark tooth ear adornment, a fine and large example, red sealing wax fixtures. Aged creamy patina. Length 5 cm. Width 3 cm
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Rare pounamu adornment, very early archaic flattened tear drop form with evidence of two pierced suspension holes and linear notching to edges. This adornment would have signalled the mana and high rank of its creator and the owner. Its fine elongated form is without doubt the work of a master craftsman. This rare pounamu May have been used in the ceremonial practice and sacred production of the finest muka (flax fibre) the adornment would be applied to making the most complex and finest of chiefly cloaks…
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Important nguru flute. This artefact is a marine ivory nguru given to Commander James Wood RN on one of his journeys to New Zealand between 1837 and 1843 the artefact comes to auction from the present owner who is a direct descendent of Commander Wood. Masterfully carved from a whale tooth, the nguru is consistent with the Northern carving styles and features refined design patterns of haehae and pakati (dog tooth patterned notching) A stylised lizard rests to the underside and delicate spiral design…
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Kete muka kiwi, early and finely made kiwi feather kete, double pair twining with kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft) the muka kaupapa is in good condition. Thought to have originated in the Raglan area. Length 22 cm. Width 19 cm
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Fine kete, with double pair twining, highlighted with a raised wave pattern. Natural blue dye with two attached handles. Height 15 cm. Width 11.5 cm (bag only)
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Piupiu, traditional adult flax skirt with multiple decorative bands. Length 83 cm. Width 62 cm
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Kahu Huruhuru cloak feather cloak made with candlewick string with attached pheasant feathers. Intertwined red wool border to top and sides with attached purple material handles a row of feathers to the bottom border. Length 82.5 cm. Width 86 cm
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Kahu huruhuru cloak, a very beautiful cloak, muka backing four vertical kiwi feather rows flanked by vertical rows of peacock feathers. Bottom border lined with peacock feathers to edge. Two small handles to the top. Length 80 cm. Width 75.4 cm
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Superb feather cloak, a rare and beautiful Maori kahu kiwi feather cloak from the 19th century the cloak is adorned with mature brown kiwi feathers, in orthodox style the kiwi feathers are tightly compacted to form plump, luminous appearance in good condition with only a small amount of loss to the top left corner, which is consistent with usage. Height 84 cm. Width 94.9 cm
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Pake - rain cape, rare example of a practical, everyday garment made by attaching hundreds of leaf strips, called hukahuka, to a woven foundation the hukahuka channelled off the rain. Length 146 cm. Width 92 cm
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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
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Patu muka, large stone pounder with circular cross section, bulbous body, extends to top notched handle. Surface is rough and pitted. Andesite. Length 28.6 cm. Width 9 cm
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Patu muka, of orthodox form with circular cross section, bulbous body, extends to top rounded handle. Surface is smooth. Greywacke. Length 245 mm. Width 10.5 cm
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Patu muka ovoid bulbous form, tapering to a rounded handle. Pecked finish. Length 23 cm. Width 8 cm
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Patu aruhe, the patu aruhe (bracken-fern-root pounder) is associated with food preparation; signs of considerable age. Reminiscent of Polynesia tapa beater forms. Length 34 cm. Width 3.4 cm
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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
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Mutu kaka - perch snare made from a single piece of wood, with strong figural carving to front upper portion and arching back. Paired notching to top of the arching back. Inlaid shell to eyes. Terminates with stylised manaia (Maori mythological creature) early 19th century. Mokai (tamed birds) young kaka were easily captured and tamed they were held captive by a small leg ring called a poria, which had a small cord attached to prevent the bird flying off. Kaka poria (leg rings) could be quite ornate and…
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Group of mahe (2) classic oval cross-section. Pecked finish with worked groove across length for attaching muka cord. Greywacke. Length 8.3 cm. Width 6.5 cm. Length 8 cm. Width 7 cm
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Group of mahe (3) classic form of varying stone types with a grooved mid section. Diameter 6.1 cm. Length 7.6 cm. Width 6.8 cm. Length 9.4 cm. Width 7.2 cm
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Large model waka, large model canoe of hollowed form, dry light brown patina. Dredged from a dry gravel bank on the Waitara river in 1970. Length 106 cm. Width 9.2 cm
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Hinaki - eel trap. Hinaki (eel/fish trap) were used to catch koaro fish. Slim manuka stems and dressed muka (flax fibre) cord are woven to form it's body. This is a fine example of the torotika method of weaving; where the stems are arranged longitudinally and braced with latitudinal looped twists. Length 125 cm. Width 37 cm
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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 paua-shell eyes the surface decoration of this very-accomplished carving is extremely intricate and finely finished; its sophisticated rauponga and pakati notches. Attributed to Jacob William Heberley, 1849-1906. Te Ati AWA carver. Height 91 cm. Width 11 cm
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Early tokotoko, fully carved with pataki notching and haehae decoration. Rich brown patina. Height 102 cm. Width 3 cm
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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 shaft, terminating in a tapering tip, handle with circular pierced top. Rich dark brown patina. Attributed to ngati tarawhai carver Anaha Te Rahui, well known for the portrait painted of him by Charles Goldie. Length 80 cm. Width 5 cm
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Portrait of a Maori Chief, 19th century. Albumen print. Captioned 'C Lawrence photo'. Length 10.4 cm. Width 6.4 cm
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Portrait of a Maori Women, 19th century. Albumen print. Captioned 'James Bragge Wellington'. Length 10.4 cm. Width 6.4 cm
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Large toki, large, quadrangulated form tapering to fine flaked blade early weathered patina. Length 30.8 cm. Width 10 cm
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Toki pounamu, bevelled cutting edge, overall smooth finish. Evidence of working marks. Length 7.1 cm. Width 2.6 cm
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Toki, large argillite toki, duff type 1A. Smooth finish all over, well defined pecked tang. Length 20.2 cm. Width 7.4 cm
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Toki pounamu, flaked at top, midsection shows worked grooves to each side. Well defined blade edge, variating colour. Length 9.3 cm. Width 5.9 cm
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Toki pounamu, small fine example. '447' written in white ink on surface. Length 4.1 cm. W3.5 cm
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Toki pounamu, small fine example 'Te Waikakahi' written in white ink on surface. Duff type 2B. Length 6.5 cm. Width 3.5 cm
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Toki pounamu, flaked at top, one side shows worked grooves, well defined blade edge. Variating colour. Length 13 cm. Width 6 cm
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Toki pounamu, flattened rectangular form, milky green inanga type jade. Length 8 cm. Width 2.9 cm
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