The delicacy of this oblong waka huia box’s carved decoration testifies to the care Maori artists put into creations of great symbolic value.
Intended to preserve the nephrite ornaments and precious feathers of the huia bird that adorned the headdresses of the great Maori chiefs, it is carved with tiki heads at the ends to protect its contents.
The elaborate lid features two full-length tiki with oversized heads, hands on stomachs, tongues out, a sign of power. They are linked by a line of carved curves, hollowed out in the middle.
The lid-bottle assembly is richly decorated with curved incisions.
A privilege of high-ranking individuals, these boxes were hung from the ridge of the chief’s house, hence the beautiful, deep, dark red-brown patina on the protruding parts.