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A very fine whalebone kotiate, kotiate are short hand club…
Lot No.
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Description:
A very fine whalebone kotiate, kotiate are short hand club originally used for close-range combat. Carved from whalebone, with a large lobed blade, the finial carved with a tiki head with a protruding tongue in a defiant gesture, the eyes hooped with red wax, tapering grip with circular piercing for a thong in order to suspend it or fasten it securely to the wrist. A cartouche in the centre of the blade displays skilfully carved rauponga with pakati (dog-tooth notches) and haehae (parallel grooves). The refined and balanced shape of this weapon has been linked to the lobed part of the human liver, hence its name 'kotiate' literally meaning in te reo Maori 'cut the liver into two'. Because of its elaborate form and the material it is made out of, this kind of weapon was favoured by chiefs, not only used in a combat context but as an emblem of authority, especially during speech-making. National registration is not required for this lot, length 32.5 cm, width 11 cm
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified