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Maori & Oceanic Art — Dunbar Sloane Ltd.

Auction House:Dunbar Sloane Ltd.Number of lots recorded:135
Sale Title:Maori & Oceanic ArtLots with images:133
Auction Location:WellingtonPrices available:102
Date:10-Oct-2023
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Two mahe (stone sinkers), volcanic stone with lashing grooves, length 8 cm, 7 cm
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A mahe (stone sinker), spherical volcanic stone with lashing grooves. 9 cm diameter
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A mahe (stone sinker), squat spherical course volcanic stone with lashing grooves. 11 cm diameter
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Punga (anchor stone), smooth stone with large hole close to the edge, length 16 cm.
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Ketu (digging implement), with tapering shaft and paddle shaped blade. Used for loosening the soil around kumara plants. Some small chips to the blade, length 47 cm.
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An early 20th tokotoko, carved with traditional rauponga design and inlaid with paua, height 87.5
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Model Tauihu (canoe prow), carved wood figure with wheku head displaying a protruding tongue, inlaid paua shell eyes, and three figured hands clasped to the belly. Circa 1920, length 18 cm
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A large toki roughout, length 25 cm
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Superb Pre-European tree Felling toki (argillite), thick heavy body with square cross-section and hammer dressed tang tapering to an even poll with carved circular grooves, well defined lateral edges and bevel with sharp intact cutting edge. Considered to be a very good example of a tree felling blade. Discovered on Tatapouri beach in 1949, length 33 cm
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Large Pre-European hogback toki (argillite), Partially polished with hammered dressed tang and poll, sharp intact cutting edge. Discovered in Waitotara, 1933, length 30 cm
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A Pre-European toki pounamu (adze blade), Kawakawa variety stone, tapering quadrangular shape. Hammer pecking to the pole section and across the surface, chips to the blade section. 21 cm length.
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An 18th century koropepe pendant, pounamu with notching at top of the neck and red wax embellishment to the eyes. Later suspension hole and 14ct gold mount, height 5 cm,.
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Two hoe (canoe paddles), height 147 cm, 138 cm
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Toki pounamu, polished inanga variety stone, scarf marks to one lateral side, cutting edge sharp and intact. 6 cm length.
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An 18th century hei tiki, a type I hei tiki carved in inanga variety stone with unusual leftward tilt to the head. Widely recessed eyes and mouth showing two teeth. One broken out countersunk suspension hole, one intact indicating its great age, height 6 cm
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A good 18th century hei tiki, type I form with hands to thighs carved in Kawakawa variety stone. Well defined facial features with cut paua eyes and mouth displaying tongue and teeth. Thick muscular body with elbow projections and well defined fingers. Countersunk suspension hole, height 10.5 cm
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A 19th century mere pounamu, traditional spatulate shaped blade tapering the grip with eight carved grooves to the butt. Modelled in highly polished inanga variety stone displaying darker kawakawa veining. The apex of the blade chipped and repaired. Provenance: gifted from chief Tamati waka Nene to Colonel Robert Henry Wynyard and handed down by decent to the successive eldest Son in each generation, height 29 cm.
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A large patu onewa (stone hand club), Spatulate blade reducing to the grip, four concentric grooves to the butt with countersunk suspension hole. Dark smooth stone veined with white quartz. Small chip to the blade, length 39 cm
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Pre-European toki (argillite), tapering quadrangular shape, well formed with even poll and sharp intact cutting edge. Smooth surface with minor pecking to the upper section. Discovered at Waitotara, 1941, length 19 cm
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A 19th century mere pounamu, Kawakawa variety stone with dark speckled inclusions, blade tapering to the grip section terminating in seven graduating cut grooves. Handle pierced in the traditional manner with a countersunk hole. Small amount of fritting to the blade. 30 cm length.
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Pre-European patu onewa (argillite club), pecked and polished tapering to a base with four concentric grooves and a countersunk hole for suspension. Chip to the blade. 26 cm length.
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A good whale bone kotiate (hand club), with traditional lobed blade and handle terminating in a carved wheku head with cut paua inlaid eyes. Pierced for suspension, height 32 cm
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A whale bone kotiate (hand club), traditional lobed blade with the handle pierced for suspension terminating in a carved wheku head, height 30 cm
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A patu Pararoa (hand club), traditional spatulate shaped blade reducing to the grip, pierced for suspension with unusual notching to the butt, height 37.5 cm
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An early 19th century patu Pararoa (hand club), slightly pointed at the apex with a delineated butt and countersunk suspension hole. Paper label affixed suggesting this patu was a presentation piece, height 37.5 cm
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A good early 19th century wahaika (carved wood hand club), traditional hooked blade with carved wheku figure to the inner blade curve. The grip section terminating in a carved wheku head. Pierced for suspension. Small natural wood depression to one side of the blade, height 38 cm
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An early 20th century Maori Aze handle with Corresponding toki, the handle carved with a wheku head with cut paua inset, the haft section is broken out. Lashing fiber attached to the toki, height 50 cm
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An early 19th century waka Taua Rauawa (Gunwale), carved with side profile figures with wheku faces interlinked with manaia figures with cut paua shell eyes. Red ochre painted finish. Pierced with circular holes to the upper and lower section to enable the board to be attached to the waka. Provenance: Peter Stratford collection, 200 cm x 30 cm
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A late 19th century toki poutangata (ceremonial adze handle), with carved wheku head, rauponga carving and cut paua inset, height 66 cm
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An early 19th century waka Taua Rauawa (Gunwale), carved with side profile figures with wheku faces interlinked with manaia figures with cut paua shell eyes. Red ochre painted finish. Pierced with circular holes to the upper and lower section to enable the board to be attached to the waka. Provenance: Peter Stratford collection, 246 cm x 30 cm
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A 19th century Maihi (barge board), carved with interlinked manaia figures with cut paua shell eyes. The wreathen figures decorated with rauponga and pikorauru. Red ochre painted surface. Provenance: Wagner Museum collection. Peter Stratford collection. 240 x 30 cm
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Early 20th century tekoteko figure (gable figure), the figure with hands placed to abdomen. Painted in red ochre with ta moko highlighted in white, height 79 cm
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A 19th century Tauihu (canoe prow), with carved head in high relief. The top section broken and missing. Provenance: Wagner Museum collection. Peter Stratford collection, 120 cm length
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An early 20th century carved ebonised panel, centered by a figure with a wheku head with protruding tongue and cut paua shell eyes flanked by figures with wheku heads, the whole extensively adorned with haehae, pakati and pikoruru carving. 89 x 66 cm
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A late 19th century architectural board, probably a section of a mahi (barge board). Carved with a side profile wheku head with protruding tongue. Remnants of one paua shell eye remaining with the other one absent. 50 cm x 40 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi wall shelf, the back section carved with Kowhaiwhai, the frieze with interlocking spirals with pakati haehae and inset with cut paua shell discs, 84 cm wide
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals, 184 x 48 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals, 184 x 48 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals, 184 x 48 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals, 184 x 48 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals. Slightly reduced in height, 170 x 48 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals. Some bora damage evident to the back of the panel, 184 x 48 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals. Some bora damage evident to the back of the panel, 184 x 48 cm.
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi Poupou, carved with an ancestral figure with wheku head with protruding tongue and circular disc eyes surmounting a wheku head at the base of the panel. A further small wheku carved to the lower center section. Decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals. The panel broken and re-joined at the center and with splits also evident, 184 x 48 cm.
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Mahi and Raparapa, the large and impressive Amo carved with two ancestral figures with circular disc eyes and protruding tongues. The body of each decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals. Each figure stands above a Kaitiaki ngarara (lizard) which offer protection to a sacred wharenui or house. The base of each board further carved with a wheku head. Red ochre painted, showing wear commensurate with their age. The maihi and raparapa showing considerable wear. Amo 3.3m x 32 cm. Maihi and raparapa 4m x…
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Tene Waitere Ngati Tarawahi window frame, the base panel carved with two large wheku heads. The side supports carved with side profile manaia and decorated with rauponga and pikorauru spirals. 87 x 68 cm
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Tene Waitere Ngati tarawhai Paepae board, carved with wheku heads and concentric spiral designs with pakati detailing. Red ochre painted finish, 2.6 m x 39 cm
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A 19th century Tahuhu (Ridge beam) section, carved with two opposing figures. Considerable loss and damage evident. Provenance: Peter Stratford collection, 250 cm x 28 cm
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A finely carved Ngati tarawhai waka huia (treasure box) by Tene Waitere, elongated oval shape flanked by stylized human figures, each with three fingered hands placed to the abdomen and decorated with fine rauponga (notched ridges and parallel grooves). Each side centered by a carved wheku head with paua disc eyes flanked by manaia decorated with rauponga and with further rauponga decoration to the underside of the box. The lid with ancestral figures carved in high relief, each with a wheku head on a…
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A 19th century tokotoko attributed to Jacob William Heberley (1849 - 1906), naturalistic carved figure with ta-moko surmounting four wheku heads. The figures with inset cut paua shell eyes (one missing) and decorated with triple haehae and pakati (dog tooth) notching. The head conjoined with a wheku head forming the handle, height 93 cm
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A large 20th century tokotoko with surmounting double-sided figures, figures displaying wheku heads with inset cut paua eyes, protruding tongues, and interlocking arms intricately carved with spirals, triple ridged haehae and pakati (dog notching), height 97 cm
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A late 19th century tokotoko, well carved Maori walking stick with male bust knob and silver collar surmounting the tapering shaft, height 83 cm
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A 19th century King Tawhaio bust tokotoko, a carved Maori walking stick displaying the head of T?k?roto Matutaera P?tatau Te Wherowhero T?whiao (1822 - 1894), height 89 cm
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A 19th century Maori bust tokotoko, a carved Maori walking stick displaying a Maori portrait bust with ta moko and sliver collar, height 91 cm
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A good Tangiwai (Bowenite) hei tiki, well formed hei tiki with one hand to chest the other resting on the thigh, carved in superb translucent tangiwai, height 9.5 cm.
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An 18th century hei tiki, a female type I hei tiki carved in Kawakawa variety stone. Clearly defined facial features with wide deeply recessed eyes, nasal bridge and mouth with teeth. Two broken-out suspension holes indicating her significant age, height 11 cm
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An 18th century hei tiki, a type I hei tiki fashioned from an inanga stone toki. Countersunk suspension hole and scarf markings evident on the back, height 7.5 cm
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A 19th century Wakahuia (treasure box), traditional elongated oval shape flanked by stylized human figures carved in high relief. Each with arms outstretched behind their backs with hands resting on the box. The body of the box carved with radiating lines of rauponga with pakati and interwoven spirals. The lid with two relief carved figures with wheku heads. Some chipping evident to the lid. 37 cm length. Provenance: John Gow collection. Sold in the John Gow collection sale in 2003
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18th century mere pounamu, Kawakawa variety pounamu with countersunk suspension hole. Some fritting evident to the blade, 27 cm length
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Large and impressive Pre-European patu onewa (argillite club), elongated spatulate shape. Pecked and polished tapering to a base with four concentric grooves and a countersunk hole for suspension. Chip to the blade. 26 cm length.
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A good 19th century Wakahuia (treasure box) with huia feather, finely carved of classical elongated oval form. Each end with ancestral figures with projecting wheku heads. The body carved with tripple haehae and pakati notching in rauponga design. The lid displays two wheku figure handles carved in high relief, length 44 cm
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A large early 19th century Wakahuia (treasure box), traditional elongated oval shape flanked by stylized human figures (one missing the lower section of the mouth), each with three fingered hands resting on the thighs and cut paua shell adorning the eyes. The body of the box carved with radiating lines of rauponga with pakati (notching). Two small holes to the lower section of one side, length 52 cm
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Large and impressive contact period hei tiki, high translucency indicates bowenite variety stone with white inclusions to the left side of the face and lower section. Type I form with deeply recessed eyes and some wear to the nose and mouth reflecting significant age. Two worn out suspension holes at the top of the head. 12 cm length.. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection
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A Pre-European pounamu Whao (chisel), Inanga variety stone with an unusual dark demarcation to the upper section indicating partial heat-treatment. Hammer end slanted. Circular cross-section tapering to a steep bevel and sharp cutting edge. Smooth polished surface throughout. 14 cm length.
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A late 19th century wahaika (carved wood hand club), traditional hooked blade with carved wheku figure to the inner blade curve. Rauponga and pakati notching covering the blade surface with wheku head carved to butt. Pierced for suspension, height 36 cm
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A late 19th century wahaika (carved wood hand club), traditional hooked blade with carved wheku figure to the inner blade curve. Rauponga and pakati notching covering the blade surface with wheku head carved to butt. Pierced for suspension, height 38 cm
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A late 19th century wahaika (carved wood hand club), Hooked lobed blade with wheku figure carved to the inner blade curve. Pierced for suspension with unusual janus wheku face carved to the butt, height 37 cm
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A 19th century mutu kaka (Maori bird snare perch), carved wheku figure to the shaft. Old chip to the foot, height 27 cm
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A 19th century patiti (Maori hand axe), the wooden shaft carved with wheku heads and rauponga, mounted with a trade steel blade, height 35 cm
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A late 19th century toki Kaukaroa (long handled axe), the shaft carved with eight carved wheku figures terminating in a rauponga carved arero (tongue) similar to a taiaha, mounted with a trade steel blade, height 106 cm
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A late 19th century figure supported kumete (Ngati tarawhai), kumete carved with wheku faces and rauponga, flanked by two stylised anthropomorphic figures carved in high relief, height 17 cm, L 33 cm.
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A late 19th century hoe (paddle), the blade with finely carved manaia figures and kowhaiwhai patterns verso. Embellished with cut paua, height 132 cm
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A good late 19th century figure supported kumete (Ngati tarawhai), a well carved lidded figure supported kumete. The bowl is flanked by two crouching wheku figures carved in high relief. The surface is ornately carved in rauponga spirals with triple haehae and pakati (dog notching), with paua embellishment. Mounted on an ebonised wood plinth. These figure-supported bowls were developed by the Ngati tarawhai carvers of the late 19th century. They are a development of the traditional carved wakahuia and…
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An early 20th century tokotoko carved in the manner of Jacob Heberley (1849 - 1906), the shaft with finely carved wheku and manaia figures with kowhaiwhai patterns. The handle broken and repaired, height 90 cm
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An 18th century kuru pendant, Kawakawa variety stone with typical inclusions and fractures. Countersunk hole, height 6.5 cm
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A 19th century kiwi feather kete, woven muka base and binding. Some losses, height 17 cm
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A 19th century kiwi feather kete, woven muka base and binding with kiwi and Kereru feathers. Some losses, height 13 cm
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An 18th century Aurei (cloak pin), whale bone cloak pin with countersunk hole. Some degradation to the surface, height 17.5 cm
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A late 19th century tokotoko, carved Maori walking stick with ascending spiral design tapering to a metal cap, decorated with four Maori masks and triple haehae with pakati (dog tooth) notching. Knob missing, height 85 cm
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A patu muka (fern root pounder), height 20 cm
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A good mahe (stone sinker), course volcanic stone showing sedimentary layers with carved wheku head and suspension hole, height 13 cm
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A 19th century King Tawhaio bust tokotoko, a carved Maori walking stick displaying the head of T?k?roto Matutaera P?tatau Te Wherowhero T?whiao (1822 - 1894), height 88 cm
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An early 20th century tokotoko, carved figure with ta-moko surmounting two wheku heads. The figures all with inset cut paua shell eyes (two missing) and decorated with triple haehae and pakati (dog tooth) notching, height 94 cm
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A late 19th century tokotoko, carved Maori figure with ta moko wrapped in a korowai and decorated in rauponga surmounting a tapering shaft, height 94 cm
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The cylindrical shaft with carved band and kowhaiwhai decoration, height 86.5 cm
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A good pair of 19th century scrimshaw horns, one decorated with a Maori chief, a wahine and child, a pair of kiwi and native flora. The other with a chief, a wahine wearing huia feathers in her hair, a mountain, native flora and a patu. Provenance: from the collection of Willam Henry Partington. Passed on by family descent. 40 cm length
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Santa Cruz Island dance club, Napa, classical canoe shape with painted floral and geometric decoration. Split to handle and center section. Length 93 cm.
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A good 19th century Fijian ceremonial dance club (kiakavo), the heavy robust club carved from casuarina wood, the head section with abrased stippled pattern to the underside. Inscribed in Fijian 'Atunaisa' and 'Uto Vea', 95 cm length. Provenance: Private Collection Hawkes bay
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Four small Tokelauan tackle boxes, one with later carving, height 14 cm - 10 cm
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A Gemsbok skull with horns
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A large and impressive moa leg bone, found at pyramid valley, north canterbury. Pyramid valley in the Hurunui District of New Zealand is located near Waikari in the north canterbury region 80 KM north-west of Christchurch. It is well known for its prominent limestone rock formations. On the foot of the valley is a swamp which became notable in 1939 as New Zealand's largest paleontological site for moa fossils. The swamp was formed around 18,000 BC and was drained some 2,000 years ago. It provided a lush…
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A Papua New Guinea Sepik River Shaman's bowl together with a Baliem finger cutting tool
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Three Papua New Guinea Sepik River cooking pots, blackened pottery of tapering conical shape. One held in a metal stand, some faults evident
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Papua New Guinea Oro Province tapa cloth, 130 x 61 cm
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Two Papua New Guinea Oro Province tapa cloths
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Late 19th century walking cane with an Indonesian ivory kris handle, 95 cm length
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A Papua New Guinea Sago storage jar from the Aibom Vllage, raku fired coiled clay vessel with flared rim, decorated with zoomorphic relief depictions of mythological spirits painted with kaolin pigments. Woven rattan base
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A large and impressive spirit mask from Papua New Guinea, painted wood decorated with bird totems carved in high relief and cut shells eyes. 122 cm height
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Two Ramu River paddles from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment to one side of the blade, height 167 cm, 159 cm
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A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment to one side of the large blade, height 179 cm
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