A Rare New Zealand Maori Stone ‘Mahe’ or Line Sinker
A Rare New Zealand Maori Stone ‘Mahe’ or Line Sinker of Spherical Form with Finely Pecked Encircling Groove for Lashing a Cordage Tie
Old attached paper collectors label inscribed in ink ‘Vin…..’
18th – Early 19th Century
Size: 5.5cm dia. - 2¼ ins dia.
Old attached paper collectors label inscribed in ink ‘Vin…..’
18th – Early 19th Century
Size: 5.5cm dia. - 2¼ ins dia.
A Rare New Zealand Maori Stone ‘Mahe’ or Line Sinker of Spherical Form with Finely Pecked Encircling Groove for Lashing a Cordage Tie
Old attached paper collectors label inscribed in ink ‘Vin…..’
18th – Early 19th Century
Size: 5.5cm dia. - 2¼ ins dia.
Old attached paper collectors label inscribed in ink ‘Vin…..’
18th – Early 19th Century
Size: 5.5cm dia. - 2¼ ins dia.
The Maori fished the seas around the coast of the ‘land of the long white cloud’ with the aid of their carved wooden canoes. Basalt and sandstone ‘Mahe’ such as this example were attached to ‘seine’ and ‘drag’ nets in order to sink them to the sea bed. They also practised troll and line fishing from the canoes. For small fish, crustaceans and eels, woven baskets and pots with aid of stone sinkers were left in the sea, lakes, rivers and swamps to trap a catch.
Ex English Private collection
A Rare New Zealand Maori Stone ‘Mahe’ or Line Sinker
