An interesting and notable 19th century Maori carved walking stick originally owned by the colonial sawmiller James Robson, husband of Mere Ngamai (ii) A close relation of the famous chief Te Wharepouri, and by descent to the estate of our vendor. Unusually the stick incorporates a Janus faced figure with one face carved naturalistically and the verso with a koruru mask, both with inlaid eyes, the figure stands partially draped in a cloak holding a bone patu (faulted). The figure is surmounted by an inverse baluster knob fitted with a silver metal collar with engraved monogram 'JR'. The tapering shaft incised with simplified mangopare kowhaiwhai. A single tuft of muka bound dog's hair from another artefact fixed with cordage at the handle. Length 90 cm