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An early wahaika, or short war-club used by chiefs and great warriors. The inner edge of the blade is carved with a large central ancestor figure. The butt or réké is carved as a grotesque human head probably manaia – the messenger between the worlds of the living and the dead. The head of the central figure with its powerful expressive face is ovoid with a slanted eyes and full lips showing the protruding tongue. The ears and a top-knot of hair are carved outstanding. The figures body, carved almost fully in the round, is curved backwards with the left hand holding the belly and the right placed to the rear of the arched torso. The left shoulder and arm form a powerfull cresent. The legs are extended and spread wide showing the enlarged open vulva. The head of manaia at the butt is superbly carved with well defined features including the Mount Taranaki chevron (south western point of the North Island) on the bridge of the nose although stylistically this wahaika can be attributed to the Ngapuhi tribe of the far northern point of the North Island. The hole for the wrist or thumb-string is carved square and off-centered. Maori People, North Island, New Zealand, Polynesia. Wood with a fine patina of age and use. Stone carved. The cutting edge of the blade has been worn down and re-formed in olden times 34 x 9,5 x 2 cm. 18th/19th century, pre-contact, Te Puawaitanga & Te Huringa I periods. Ex coll. : Seward Kennedy, London ; David F. Rosenthal, San Francisco. |
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See similar examples in Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, Wellington, inv. N° ME. 12750 & Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, inv. N°E.150.579 ; The James Hooper collection and the MASCO collection. An identical example in SKILLED HADWORK OF THE MAORI – Being The Oldman Collection of Maori Artifacts. Memoirs of the Polynesian Society. vol. 14. The Polynesian Society, Wellington, 1946. N° 67, plate 51. Ref. : |
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