Te Kohinga Taoka Māori

Collection Record

Putorino, Flute

Complete putorino flute. At the proximal end there is a large central bore with a wide lip running around it. On the front face of the putorino there is a large projection in human face form, finely carved, with notched paua shell inlay for the eyes. The putorino is wrapped with thin fibre just below this face. The putorino widens at the middle, where there is another carved human face, with the mouth acting as a sound hole. This craving also features notched paua shell inlay around the eyes. There is another length of fine fibre wrapped around the putorino below this carving. On the back side opposite this face, there is a drilled hole of unknown purpose. The putorino tapers to a thin distal end. There is a small projection of a carved human face, forehead to the distal end. This carving has been partially broken, with only one paua shell inlay remaining, and with a red wax-like substance on the lower face. There is wide fibre wrapped around above the carving, and thin fibre wrapped a

Provenance Place:
Unlocalised, New Zealand

O50.004

See full details