Treasure box "waka huia" · New Zealand, Maori · ID: 3050088
Description
wood, shell inlay, missing part
These treasure containers stored a person’s most prized personal possessions, such as pendants “hei-tiki”, feathers for decorating and dressing the hair, hair comb “heru” and other items of personal adornment.
“Waka huia” were imbued with the “tapu” of their owners because the boxes contained personal items that regularly came into contact with the body, particularly the head.
“Waka huia” were designed to be suspended from the low hanging ceiling of the “whare” where their beautifully carved and decorated undersides could be appreciated. The beautiful head, presumably representing an ancestor, also looks down accordingly.
These containers were very valuable and were carefully guarded over the generations. As “taonga”, “waka huia” are often gifted between sub-tribes, families, and individuals to acknowledge relationships, friendships, and other significant social events.
The object Treasure box “waka huia” with the object ID 3050088 was last part of the auction Auction 103 at November 16, 2024 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 71 achieved a sales price of EUR 5,000.
Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Oceanian art.
Comparing literature
Phelps,Steven, Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas. The James Hooper Collection, London 1976, p. 41, Plate 9 (especially third container from the left)