NAVIGATION

A Finely Carved Polynesian Maori Feather ‘Treasure Box’ and Cover 
With superb colour and patina 
Wood, haliotis (abalone) shell 
New Zealand 
Early 19th Century 

Size: 14cm high, 51cm wide, 18.5cm deep - 5½ ins high, 20 ins wide, 7¼ ins deep 
 

This finely carved wood ‘treasure box’ would have belonged to an important Maori elder or chief to keep safe their precious objects, Hei Tiki’s (nephrite pendants) feathers (often from the ‘huia’ bird and other artefacts which were precious to the chief, ancestors and tribe. Carved from a native hard wood, the box has terminals to each end with ‘god-tiki’ heads, inlaid with haliotis (abalone) shell. 
A masterpiece of Maori carving with a beautiful deep rich patina. 

 

Alex Manoogian, USA (founder of Masco Corporation) 
Ex Private French collection 
Ex Alain Schoffel collection, Paris until 1994 
Ex Private French collection 
Ex Yann Ferrandin 
Ex Private UK collection