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Important Oceanic & African Art, (Aotearoa only) — Webb's

Auction House:Webb'sNumber of lots recorded:134
Sale Title:Important Oceanic & African Art, (Aotearoa only)Lots with images:125
Auction Location:AucklandPrices available:88
Date:10-Jun-2014
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Cheifly hei tiki. A large stunning example in orthodox stance with well defined facial features, body and limbs. Large head tilting to the right. Well worn, hourglass-shaped suspension hole. Nephrite with a variated colouration. Length 10 cm. Width 5.5 cm.
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Prestigious waka huia. In orthodox ovoid form the lid offers no less that 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 another six complete raura 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 well worn appearance. The lid…
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Early 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 early type are rarely seen. The well balanced blade tapers the a natural point with a hourglass pierced suspension hole. Dark green pounamu with signs of traditional working cuts to handle. Length 37 cm. Width 7.4 cm.
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Superb mere pounamu. Prestigious and large example in traditional form. Crafted from speckled kawakawa nephrite with the blade offering a beautiful translucent patina. The haft terminates with hand sawn ridges and soft worn hole. Fine balance and form. Height 35 cm. Width 11 cm.
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Heavily sewn giant pounamu. Slab beautiful example with long working marks to sides. This example is uncompleted and represents phase three in the manufacture of a toki pou tangata. A polished finish with ends and sides showing oxidisation, flaking and traces of original surface. Length 57 cm. Width 14 cm.
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Toki pounamu. Rectangular form with bevelled cutting edge, overall smooth finish. Length 13 cm. Width 5.5 cm
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Toki pounamu. Flattened rectangular form, with a weathered patina. Length 14.4 cm. Width 6.8 cm
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Worked greenstone. Flattened rectangular form with tapered cutting edge, working marks evident to one side. Length 11.6 cm. Width 1.8 cm.
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Toki pounamu. Side showing worked grooves, well defined blade edge. Variations of light to dark green pounamu. Length 17.5 cm. Width 8 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 and good example the side shows worked groove, well defined blade edge. Inscription to top. Private collection, New Zealand .
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Toki pounamu. Worked grooves to one side, well defined blade edge. Length 8 cm. Width 6 cm.
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Toki pounamu. Side shows worked grooves, well defined blade edge. Length 9 cm. Width 3.8 cm.
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Toki pounamu. Side and top shows worked grooves, well defined blade edge. Variated colour. Length 13.6 cm. Width 6.6 cm
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Whao pounamu. Cylindrical shaft with fine blade, scarfing to one side. Dark green nephrite. Length 6.3 cm. Width 1.2 cm
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Whao pounamu. Of small form with tapering point. Hand cut workings to side. Length 3 cm. Width 9 cm.
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Whalebone patu. Fine and large example carved from whalebone. Traditional form with soft patina. Pierced round hole for attachment. Length 39 cm. Width 10.8 cm.
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Whalebone kotiate. Classic form with carved decoration to handle and a pierced hole for attachment. Length 26.5 cm. Width 11.5 cm
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Whalebone kotiate. Carved whalebone in a traditional form with a symmetrical blade, manaia head with open mouth and protruding tongue to handle end. Length 29.2 cm. Width 14 cm
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Whalebone kotiate. Flattened traditional form, with pierced holes to body and handle. Soft well used patina. Height 27.2 cm. Width 12.4 cm.
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Taiaha. Of orthodox form. Short forehead, eyes and nose well defined. Tongue beautifully carved with elaborate triple haehae lines and pataki notching. Light brown patina. Length 143.5 cm. width 5 cm.
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Taiaha. Softly carved offering swept back forehead with raised eyes. Tongue is tightly executed and terminates into angular tip. The strike blade is finely balanced and completed with round form tip and a rich brown patina. Length 162 cm. Width 6.5 cm.
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Early tewhatewha. Orthodox form with 'Axe' type head, stone tooled with a deep rich patina, a pierced hole for attachment of feathers and the shaft decorated with softly carved abstracted mania design. Length 126 cm. Width 16.5 cm.
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Rare tao (spear). A rare type of early weapon. Elongated tubular form with pointed ends and three barbs to head. Fine, rich dark patina. Length 218 cm. Width 2.5 cm.
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Chiefly patu. A prestigious club with a large a voluptuous rounded blade and finely carved designs. These designs feature, Koru forms Haehae and Pataki notching to both sides of the blade leading to a ridged flared handle end, pierced round suspension hole for attachment. Early inscription written on the blade with paint or sealing wax: 'Mere Takau or war club used only by Maori Chiefs. Old inventory numbers in white paint: 57.8.3. Rich dark brown patina. Height 46 cm. Width 13 cm.
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Superb wahaika. In classic form, this superb club shows great age, with masterfully carved female figure to incurve, a beautifully carved head with open mouth bearing teeth. One hand clutching torso and other arching behind leg. The legs arching into upper shoulder of handle terminating into three digit clasp, leading to a finely defined manaia head to handle end. Rich dark patina. East Coast, Gisborne New Zealand . Length 36 cm. Width 11 cm.
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Important Mau / Nga Tohu Tawhito. 1100 - 1300. When Maori Ancestors first set foot on Aotearoa these were keepsakes from their home islands. These signified rank,family lineage, cultural origins or simply the thoughts and protection of their loved ones. This ancient adornment is characterised by its beautifully balanced form and symetry. The triangular cross elevation represents a key element in ancient navigation; the triangulation between Aoteoroa, Hawaii, and Rapanui. Height 11.5 cm. Width 3.9 cm. D.2.2…
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Important Rei Niho paraoa - whalebone adornment. Very rare chest adornment of flattened form, the outside edge with raised triangular cut outs, inside edge is serrated with rib form cut outs to the body. Two pierced holes for suspension, made from whalebone. Dry weathered patina, of great age. They were most likely carved some time before 1600, but very little is known of their origin. Holes in the top would have enabled them to be lashed together with its partner. Only about 20 pieces have ever been found…
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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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Kete muka kiwi. Early woven kete single twining with attached kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). Some feather loss. Height 19 cm. Width 24 cm.
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Kete muka kiwi. Extremely fine construction with double paired twining and kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). Very good condition. Height 21 cm. Width 25 cm.
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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 17 cm. Width 22.5 cm.
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Kete muka kiwi. Very good example of a finely made kiwi feather kete, double pair twining with kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). The muka kaupapa is in good condition. Two decorative tassels to the front and one on the back. Height 17 cm. Width 21 cm.
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Kete muka. Two small muka bags, in very good condition. Height eight 24 cm. Width 20 cm. Height 12.5 cm. Length 10.5 cm.
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Fine kete. A good example of a muka bag with single pair twining, with large fringe. Very good condition. Height 21.5 cm. Width 30 cm.
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Kete muka. A masterfully constructed muka bag with double pair twining, separated warps in a intertwined wave pattern, and a substantial fringe with tassels. Purple and blue dyed warp decoration, with a silk lining. Height 35 cm. Width 47 cm.
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Kete muka. A large example of a woven constructed muka bag with double pair twining, separated warps in a raised wave pattern in a chequered design, and a substantial fringe. Height 30 cm. Width 43 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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Rare feather adornment. Decorative scarf, the body constructed of a woven muka band to pairs of tassels to both ends. Body completely covered in plump kiwi and kaka feathers. Length 97 cm. Width 3 cm.
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Rare feather adornment. Decorative scarf or belt, the base is traditionally constructed using wool and muka with a silk backing. Completely covered in plump kiwi feathers. Leading to tapering ends with bands of Kaka, Tui and Kakariki feathers. Length 126 cm. Width 10 cm.
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Korowai cloak. Beautiful example the candlewick body, with double pair twine flax wefts with detailed pattern of wide and narrow stripes and triangles of feather from kiwi, kaka, kakariki, tui, pigeon, kingfisher; framed with a band of kiwi feathers. Length 137 cm. Width 96 cm.
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Piupiu. Upper ends of the of the Piupiu tags are tightly plated with tassels to ends. A thin woven waste band hold long multi coloured strands leading to split paired tags on the ends. Height 63 cm. Width 80 cm.
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Piupiu. Traditional adult flax skirt with multiple decorative tags. Width 84 cm. Height 62 cm.
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Childs feather cloak. Early feather cloak with decorative dyed muka looping to the edges. The body with attached koekoea feathers. Woollen yarn attached to tags. Height 40 cm. Width 70 cm.
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Childs woven cloak. Early muka woven cloak with decorative dyed tassels and looped chequered design. Two attached twisted cord tags at top for attachment. Height 41 cm. Width 70 cm.
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Feather cloak. A very beautiful cloak, kiwi feather rows flanked by vertical rows of interwoven red, yellow and black wool. Tag attached to the top right corner. Length 80 cm. H5.7 cm.
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Aurei - cloak pin. Of orthodox form, fashioned from marine ivory, suspension hole worn away. Early, soft patina. Length 10 cm. Width 6 cm.
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Aurei - cloak pin. Of curved traditional form. Loss to suspension-hole end. Dry, early patina. Length 10 cm. Width 6 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 muka. Large stone pounder with circular cross section, bulbous body, extends to top notched handle. Surface is rough and pitted. Andesite. Length 29.5 cm. Width 9 cm.
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Patu muka. Long form with bulbous head, pecked surface patina. Length 28 cm. Width 7 cm.
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Large toki. Very good example, pecked finish to end leading to a highly polished and refined body, with a sharp well defined cutting edge. Length 25 cm. Width 6.5 cm.
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Large toki. Good large example in orthodox form with a pecked finish and smooth defined cutting edge. Length 23 cm. Width 6.4 cm.
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Large toki. Pecked finish to end leading to a highly polished and refined body, with a sharp well defined cutting edge. Length 23.5 cm. Width 5.6 cm.
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Large toki. A good adze of early form with pecked butt leading to a sharp cutting edge. Early soft patina. Height 25.2 cm. Width 9.4 cm.
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Group of toki. Four adzes of classic form. Length 18 cm. Width 6.7 cm. Length 17.8 cm. Width 6.5 cm. Length 13 cm. Width 5.2 cm. Length 13.4 cm. Width 6.5 cm.
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Group of toki. Six adzes of classic form and of varying stone type. Length 8.4 cm. Width 5 cm. Length 17.8 cm. Width 5.4 cm. Length 20 cm. Width 6 cm. Length 8 cm. Width 5.2 cm. Length 12 cm. Width 5.2 cm. Length 10.5 cm. Width 5 cm.
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Group of toki. Large group of early adzes. (5) length 16.5 cm. Width 7 cm. Length 14 cm. Width 6.1 cm. Length 8 cm. Width 5 cm. Length 12 cm. Width 5.5 cm. Length 7.5 cm. Width 4 cm.
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Toki. Pecked finish with defined cutting edge. Length 19 cm. Width 8 cm.
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Group of toki. Three adzes in classic form of varying stone types. Length 16.5 cm. Width 6 cm. Length 11.4 cm. Width 4 cm. Length 7.5 cm. Width 3 cm.
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Group of toki. Six adzes in classic form of varying stone types. Length 17 cm. Width 5.2 cm. Length 12 cm. Width 6 cm. Length 15 cm. Width 6 cm. Length 14 cm. Width 4.5 cm. Length 13 cm. Width 4.7 cm. Length 8 cm. Width 5 cm.
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Large group of artefacts, including lure and pendant fragments, obsidian blades, Moa bone, musket flint. (60) collected around Tamaki Estuary.
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Large group of artefacts. Various rough outs and tools. Collected around Tamaki Estuary. (28)
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Moa stones. Five examples of various types of worn stone. Length 31 cm. Width 12.5 cm.
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Group of toki. Of various size and material. (6)
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Group of toki. Of various size and material. (5)
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Group of toki. Of various size and material. (9)
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Large group of artefacts. Various rough outs and tools. Collected around Tamaki Estuary. (86)
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Hammer stones (5). Ovoid forms with well used patina. Collected around Tamaki Estuary.
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Large group of artefacts. Various rough outs and tools. Collected around Tamaki Estuary. (40)
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Hammer stones. Ovoid forms with well used patina. (4) collected around Tamaki Estuary.
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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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Group of Artifacts. Large polishing stone together with two toki. Length 20.6 cm. Width 5.5 cm. Length 10.5 cm. Width 4.5 cm. Length 11.7 cm. Width 5.4 cm.
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Hoe - paddle. Of classic form with carved letter to back of blade some damage evident. Mid - brown patina. Private collection, New Zealand .
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Maori canoe - waka. Traditional form with carved prows attached to the front and rear. Humanistic mania and spiral forms, inlaid with paua shell. Light brown patina. Length 89 cm. Width 7 cm. Height 32 cm.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Matau - fish hook. A superb example of classic form fashioned from whalebone. Inscription to top. Private collection, New Zealand .
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Mahe - sinker. Classic ovoid form with groove for attachment of line, pecked surface with a weathered patina. Length 7 cm. Width 7.5 cm.
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Male huia. In superb condition with a male huia perched on a lichen covered wood base. 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 surface, especially around the…
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The Glew collection of rare carte de visite/ albumen prints by Elizabeth Pulman, Auckland, c1870's. Print sizes generally: 90 x 5.5 cm. Three images have been cropped to an oval by the photographer. Mild fading and wear to prints. This exceptional collection features twenty-two Maori portraits, including several tribal leaders. Among those identified are: Hati Wira Takahi, Tamati wake Nene, Tawhiao, Ratene Hihitawa, Wiremu Tamihana, Parore Te Awha, Rewi Manga Maniapoto and Paora Tuhaere. This group also…
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Hei tiki pounamu. Small early example in orthodox form, the head with red wax inset to eyes and tilting to the left and Hands resting on thighs. Pierced hand drilled hole to top of head. Written label attached inscribed with H10 cm.W6.2 cm.
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Hei tiki pounamu. Good large example in orthodox form with head tilting to the left, hands resting on thighs. Old written label attached inscribed with height 10 cm. Width 6.2 cm.
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Kuru pounamu. Cylindrical tapering form with an early suspension hole and attached chain. Length 7.8 cm. Width 1.2 cm. (pendant only)
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Kuru pounamu. Large flattened ovoid form with a worn suspension hole. Translucent inunga type pounamu. Written label attached inscribed with height 12.6 cm. Width 3.4 cm.
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Kuru pounamu. Orthodox form with pierced suspension hole. Length 9.5 cm. Width 1.1 cm.
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Kuru pounamu. Flattened rectangular form with remains of an early suspension hole. Length 7.5 cm. Width 1.8 cm.
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Pounamu adornment. In the form of a miniature mere with pierced hole to top. Height 15 cm. Width 3.4 cm.
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Carved architectural element. Koruru' strong tiki figure with mouth open revealing a lizard with an inset shell eye, carved double haehae and dog tooth notching. Dry red-wash patina. Height 49.5 cm. Width 34.5 cm.
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Carved architectural element. Flattened rectangular board, deeply carved with a side facing manaia with a large open mouth bearing teeth, protruding tongue and hand resting to face, red-wash patina. Height 64.4 cm. Width 34 cm.
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Carved architectural element. Flattened rectangular board, deeply carved with a side facing taniwha with a large open mouth bearing teeth, protruding tongue and hand resting to tail. Red-wash patina. Height 90 cm. Width 28.5 cm.
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Carved architectural element. Large fragmented board, deeply carved with manaia forms, tiki faces; with a large open mouths showing teeth and tongue, hands resting to face. Red-wash patina. Length 186 cm. Width 24 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. Height 38 cm. Width 36 cm.
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Carved architectural element. Superb standing tiki figure, heavily carved double haehae and dog tooth notching. Dry red washed patina. Height 72 cm. Width 27 cm.
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Carved architectural element. Flattened rectangular board, deeply carved with a side facing taniwha with a large open mouth bearing teeth, protruding tongue and hand resting to tail. Red-wash patina. Height 86 cm. Width 28.2 cm.
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South Island spotted kiwi. Set in foliage with original case. Length 57.5 cm. Height 37 cm. D.34 cm. (case only)
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Early taxidermy kiwi. Freestanding kiwi on a wood base. Length 45 cm. Height 57 cm.
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Early taxidermy Kea. Freestanding Kea on a wood base. Length 50 cm. Height 57 cm.
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