A MAORI WALKING-STICK, the bird finial with long beak, the pierced shaft carved with notched scrolls incorporating four stylised masks, some eyes retaining haliotis inlay, dark patina

细节

A MAORI WALKING-STICK, the bird finial with long beak, the pierced shaft carved with notched scrolls incorporating four stylised masks, some eyes retaining haliotis inlay, dark patina
90.5cm. long

拍品专文

This walking-stick was probably carved by Ngati Tarawhai carvers between 1880 and 1900. The Ngati Tarawhai are a small sub-tribe of the Te Arawa of Rotorua. Although the Te Arawa were leaders in the manufacture of carvings for the tourist trade, such sticks were also used by Maoris themselves and became family heirlooms