Collection Search

Cast of a pae hamuti, used as a grip to balance while squatting over a latrine. A human head figure is carved at each end; one is much larger than the other and has a forked tongue and silver paint inserted in eyes. The body of the larger figure is carved behind the head, with three-fingered hands resting on torso and three-toed feet resting on the jaw, and geometric decoration on the shoulders and buttocks. The middle of the handle is carved with a lizard or taniwha body connecting to the smaller head. There is a rectangular reduction on the bar (at the end closest to the larger carved head), with a two rectangular perforations in the centre for lashing.

Plaster cast of a kōrere (feeding funnel). Painted dark brown. Exterior surface is carved with a koru pattern. A manaia figure protrudes from one side of the bowl, with silver painted eyes representing paua shell. A human face protrudes from the other side of the bowl onto the spout. The spout tapers to the distal end. The interior of the bowl has a koru pattern around the rim but is otherwise undecorated.

Complete plaster cast of a tatā (canoe bailer). Painted mid brown. Surface water stain and cracking inside scoop. Handle projects over the scoop, with a carving and two perforations on the butt. Back of the scoop has a wheku figure carving. Cast has been broken and repaired at the base of the handle and on several places on the scoop.

Complete kahu huruhuru with kereru feather, flax fibre and wool. Manufactured with whatu aho rua technique (two-pair weft-twining). The first and the last whenu along the left and right edges are pink and blue wool thread twisted together. Kereru feather attached singly (a aho/2) in green and white vertical stripes. The kurupatu (fringe collar) is made with white feather. There are no ties. There is a small area of repair along the top at one edge.

Cast of broken shank with the head and most of the shank remaining. It has a triangular cross-section that is serrated at the tip. There is a perforation through the head and one notch on either side of the head. It is coloured red.

The goddess Bastet, part cat and part woman was the daughter of Re, the sun-god. She represented the power of the sun to ripen crops. Cats were sacred to Bastet and many bronze cats were dedicated to her at her temple on the Nile delta. The chief seat of her worship was at Bustatie, the modern Tell Basta

Cast of a whale tooth pendant. Curved to a point at the front distal end. Serrated projections running down both side edges. Facial projection at the front centre at the proximal end with large eyes and a long pointy mouth that curves inward. Curved projections run down the centre below the facial feature. Proximal end is squared off, with a small suspension hole.

Dark wooden tewhatewha. Two perforations on the blade. Chips broken off of proximal end. Handle broadens about halfway down. Tapers at the base, with a gold metal hooped nail at the end.

Cast of a whale tooth pendant. Curved forward and tapering to a point at the distal end. Proximal end is flat with a notched half-circular projection at the front. One complete and one broken suspension hole, both drilled from each side from the proximal edge to the back. Serrations running down both side edges from the proximal end to the distal end.

Complete adze Trapezoidal, with back narrower than front. The surface is ground, with flaking around butt and back Butt undifferentiated Bevel continuous with blade. Cutting edge smooth, sharp and straight. Prominent saw mark/gouge down the left side proper.

Complete kahu huruhuru, with peacock, chicken and turkey feathers. There are peacock feathers in a square in centre of the cloak, with wool borders approximately 8cm wide of blue, red and black. Along the top there are four ties using the same wool. One pair of ties are short, and set back from the edge by approximately 10cm, there is a longer pair of ties at each corner. Manufactured using a whatu aho patihi technique (single pair twining). The 1first whenu are made with two threads; one blue wool and one undyed flax.

Complete kahu huruhuru with black, white and reddish fowl feathers. Feathers are in roughly parallel, but not completely straight, lines. There is some grey wool in the weaving. There is a small tear along the bottom edge. The side is edged with red wool, the left with undyed wool. Manufactured using whatu aho rua technique (two-pair weft-twining). The upper edge is a thick braid.

Cast of patu onewa. Sides reduced where blade meets handle, forming a shoulder.

Cast of a chevroned whale tooth pendant. Curved forward at the distal end, terminating in a stylized facial feature and three small perforations. Broken curved projections run down each side edge. A serration ridge runs down the centre front. Proximal end is rounded and notched with two suspension holes at the centre.