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Japanese lacquerware smoking cabinet, Portable cabinets to hold pipe smoking accessories were common in Japanese homes and shops in the 19th century. Fitted with three drawers, this example is decorated on all four sides with auspicious symbols and domestic scenes. The containers on top were probably intended to hold ash and coals used for lighting the tobacco.

Possible fragment of waka. One perforation hole drilled from two sides. Burnt at one end around a possible second perforation. Flat on top and slight curve. White clay remains on article.

The canine teeth of the Clouded leopard, native to Sarawak, were highly prized by the Iban., They were often fashioned into men’s ear ornaments such as this beaded ear ornament. The skins of the Clouded leopard were used as ceremonial coats and seating mats. Today, the Clouded leopard is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as its numbers have declined due to hunting and illegal poaching.

A model of a hoe (waka paddle). Light brown wood. Handle is worked smooth with a round cross-section. A knob on the butt of the handle is carved with a simple human face, with eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth depicted. Blade of the paddle is oblong with a lenticular cross-section; broken at the distal end. Blade is carved on front and back with a pattern of horizontal and vertical grooves.

Wooden tiwha (plug) for repairing holes in pōhā (kelp bags). Square shape with rounded corners and a square cross-section. Surface is worked smooth and flat. Grooved around the perimeter.

Lidded container of bark

Three gods in one. The figure represents three gods in one: Ptah - the creator of the world; Socharis (or Seker) - the god of death or the under world; Osiris (or Asar) - the god through whom all people obtained life in the underworld. This wooden figure was originally gilded. The stand was hollowed out to contain a prayer written on a piece of papyrus. In a hole on the figure was placed a small portion of the deceased's body. So long as this body portion remained intact the body lying in the tomb would be assured of everlasting life. The figure was placed in the tomb with the coffin.

Broken ribbonwood piupiu. A section of proper left tags missing. The tags have been arranged in alternating vertical lines of undyed and dyed (red and dark purple) bands. These tags are accompanied by four 3 ply whiri (plaits). The proper left whiri is missing. The whiri are dyed red and purple, with one whenu (strand) left undyed. The waistband is approximately 7cm wide with three weft weaves. The front of the waistband has been covered with a decorative twill (diagonal weave). The waistband has a decorative edging at the top, attached using cotton thread. At each end of the waistband a 4 ply whiri extension of different fibre has been attached. One detached tag accompanies the garment.

Wooden tiwha (plug) for repairing holes in pōhā (kelp bags). Oval shape with a rectangular cross-section. Surface is worked smooth and flat. Grooved around the perimeter.

Complete wooden kō with carved teka (digging stick with footrest). Very long handle with notched, pointed end. Distal end is rounded with notched side edges. Teka is lashed to kō with harakeke strands. Top of teka is sawn flat, with a slight curve at the distal end. Human figure is carved on the bottom. Eyebrows, nose, and mouth are depicted. Both hands, with three fingers on each, are inside mouth. Legs are depicted at the base.

Complete waka huia, pointed oval shape. Lid is flat underneath but quite domed on top, one end chipped. The lid is decorated with two large double spirals in a rauru pattern, with rest of surface filled with coiled fern frond motif. Decoration on lid almost identical to that on box, the decoration on the base just being expanded to fit the larger surface. Knobs on the short ends formed from 'Janus' heads with paua shell eyes in 6 of the 8 eye spaces. Each head carved differently. There is a small lip on the rim of the base to stop too much movement of lid.

Complete tokotoko. Dark brown wood. Carved with two full-length figures on one side. Rauponga and kirikiore patterns. Paua shell inlays throughout, attached using red sealing wax (one missing). Metal band and a metal cap at the distal end. Handle is undecorated except for two curved lines on either side.

Complete putatara, with conch shell body and wooden mouthpiece intact. The wooden mouthpiece is carved, two ridges down either side, with curved ridges linking them around the front, creating a mouthpiece that looks phallic in shape. There are two circular paua inlay on the front and back. One inlay appears to be adhered with red wax. The mouthpiece is attached to the shell with fibre and wax. There is a perforation through the outer lip of the aperture that has a length of fibre twine through it. On the outer whorl of the body there is a large repair. An oval piece of wood has been fixed to a hole in the wood with four lengths of fibre twine that has been waxed to fill in any gaps. At the distal end of the aperture there is a perforation.

Complete wooden koauau. Round in cross section, polished patina from handling. Exterior surface carved with rauru (double spirals) and a human figure protruding off one side. Human figure has rauru on shoulders and thighs. Feet rest on a wheku style head. Light green glass or stone inlay in eyes, at base of foot, and between two of the finger holes. A rectangular-shaped indentation filled with red sealing wax indicates there may have been another inlay. Four fingers holes in total.

Complete tokotoko. Carved in a twisting, corkscrew shape, with a rauponga (ridge and notch) pattern. Bird-head carving at the distal end, with projecting beak

Piece of wood, possibly worked, use unknown.

Piece of wood, possibly worked.