There are a diverse collection of objects that represent the

culture and history of the Maori people of New Zealand. These artefacts vary in

type, style, and function, and include the following:

Weapons: Maori weapons were traditionally made from wood,

bone, and stone, and included clubs, spears, and weapons with serrated edges,

such as the patu and mere.

Carvings: Maori carvings are highly symbolic and often

depict stories and legends from Maori mythology. These carvings can be found on

buildings, canoes, and other objects, and are often intricately detailed.

Jewellery: Maori jewellery often features intricate designs

and is made from materials such as bone, stone, and shell. Pendants, earrings,

and bracelets are all common forms of Maori jewellery.

Taonga puoro (musical instruments): These are traditional

Maori musical instruments, such as the p?t?tara (conch shell trumpet) and the

k?auau (flute). Maori music is an important more...

Under the New Zealand Protected Objects Act 1975, administered by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture & Heritage, the sale, trade, export and ownership of some Maori artefact are regulated
Objects over 50 years old that also have Maori cultural significance must be inspected by Ministry for Culture & Heritage, and if significant the object will be allocated a "Y" number, a unique identification number. Artefacts that have a Y number can only be purchased by those that are registered collectors with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

63 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A contemporary whalebone hei tiki. A type II form with three…

Contemporary Whalebone Hei Tiki with Paua Shell Inlay

A contemporary whalebone hei tiki. A type II form with three fingered hands to the torso. Paua shell inlay to the eyes and back of the head. Carved verso. Comes with a small woven flax bag. Height 12 cm

A 19th century kiwi feather kete, woven muka base and binding…

Kiwi Feather Kete: 19th Century Muka Base with Kereru Feathers

A 19th century kiwi feather kete, woven muka base and binding with kiwi and Kereru feathers. Some losses, height 13 cm,

A fine 19th century kiwi feather kete (kiwi feather bag), with…

19th Century Kiwi Feather Kete with Muka Twining

A fine 19th century kiwi feather kete (kiwi feather bag), with woven muka twining. Some damage to the weave at top center, Provenance: Private Collection Nelson. Previously in the collection of Ann and Peter Webb, 24 cm x 20 cm.

A 19th century Maori kete kiwi, the woven muka purse entirely…

Kiwi Feathered Maori Kete Purse

A 19th century Maori kete kiwi, the woven muka purse entirely covered in kiwi feathers, with two pairs of muka tassels below the handles, one handle requiring attention. 24 x 16 cm approx.

A kete, Aotearoa, fine feather kete (flax bag). Feather kete…

Feather Kete in Museum-Grade Frame

A kete, Aotearoa, fine feather kete (flax bag). Feather kete became a favourite acquisition for Collectors in the early Victorian curio trade owing to their beauty and utilitarian nature. This well used example is presented in a Museum grade frame to…

A kete, Aotearoa, superb muka kete in frame. Kete decorated…

Undyed Muka Kete with Criss Cross Pattern

A kete, Aotearoa, superb muka kete in frame. Kete decorated with natural, undyed muka to form an intersecting criss cross pattern over the entire body. Fine subtle fringe of natural muka envelopes three sides, terminating in a rolled muka handle at the…

Vintage muka kete together with another smaller kete, double…

Vintage Double Ply Woven Kete with Fringe

Vintage muka kete together with another smaller kete, double ply woven design with fringe to sides and lower edge. 24 cm x 30 cm

A kiwi feather kete (kiwi feather bag), with woven muka twining.…

Kiwi Feather Kete with Muka Twining

A kiwi feather kete (kiwi feather bag), with woven muka twining. Losses to one side. Provenance: Private Collection Nelson: collection of Ann and Peter Webb, 12 x 14 cm.

A fine kiwi feather kete ( kiwi feather bag), in superb…

Kiwi Feather Kete Bag in Pristine Condition

A fine kiwi feather kete ( kiwi feather bag), in superb original condition with woven muka twining. 24 cm x 17 cm

A good 19th century kete Huruhuru (feather bag), pheasant…

Pheasant Feather Kete Huruhuru

A good 19th century kete Huruhuru (feather bag), pheasant feathers, single pair twining with two attached muka handles. 16 cm x 15 cm.

An exceptional hoheria kete (lacebark bag), with twisted…

Lacebark Kete with Twisted Handles

An exceptional hoheria kete (lacebark bag), with twisted lacebark handles. This kete forms a rare subsection of Maori textiles made from lacebark rather than the more traditional muka. Woven in a geometric design, this rare survivor is made from strips of…

An ornate kiwi feather muka kete, kete made from robust muka…

Kiwi Feather Muka Kete with Handle and Poi Adornments

An ornate kiwi feather muka kete, kete made from robust muka adorned with kiwi and other feathers over the body. Handle of twisted muka strands terminating in small poi like adornments attached to the upper boarder. Kete decorated in a contrasting pattern…

A superb early muka kete with fringe, superb early muka kete in…

Early Muka Kete with Fringe and Frame

A superb early muka kete with fringe, superb early muka kete in frame. Kete decorated with natural and orange muka over a natural muka body to form an oscillating type design. Substantial fringe of died and natural muka, single pair twining, rolled muka…

A good Jane Brenkley vase, ovoid shape. Carved and painted with…

Maori Woman and Waka Vase

A good Jane Brenkley vase, ovoid shape. Carved and painted with a Maori women with a dog wearing a piupiu, adorned with a hei-tiki and holding a flax kete.The reverse with a waka with a figure on a river. Some surface abrasions. Signed and dated 1945

Kete Whakairo (patterned flax basket), decorated in the...…

Repatriated Kete Whakairo from Private Collection

Kete Whakairo (patterned flax basket), decorated in the...pattern. Provenance: Private Collection America. Recently repatriated to New Zealand, 25 x 38 cm

A fine kiwi feather kete (kiwi feather bag), in superb original…

Kiwi Feather Kete in Pristine Condition

A fine kiwi feather kete (kiwi feather bag), in superb original condition with woven muka twining. Provenance: private American owner Recently repatriated to New Zealand

A Burmese lacquer ceremonial rice basket 'Ko Kaw Teh', Kengtung,…

Burmese Tiger Lacquer Rice Basket

A Burmese lacquer ceremonial rice basket 'Ko Kaw Teh', Kengtung, Shan States, circa 1880-1910, decorated to the sides with snarling tiger mouth motif in gilding over black lacquer, the feet inlaid with cowrie shells, 19.5 cm high, 19 cm diameter.

Kete houhere (lacebark bag), a rare kete woven entirely from…

Lacebark Kete with Purple Fringe

Kete houhere (lacebark bag), a rare kete woven entirely from lacebark, the fringed sides and the aho (weft) coloured purple. 17.5 x 20 cm.

A modern woven flax kete, together with bone carved arm, three…

Flax Kete and Carvings Set

A modern woven flax kete, together with bone carved arm, three shells and a wooden toki with suspension hole.

Tuturu kete tobacco pouch made from pingao, sedge grass c. 1890…

Pingao Tobacco Pouch, 1890-1910

Tuturu kete tobacco pouch made from pingao, sedge grass c. 1890 - 1910

An old pingao kete irregular rectangular shape with two handles,…

Vintage Pingao Kete with Handles - 43cm Width

An old pingao kete irregular rectangular shape with two handles, width 43 cm.

Two vintage muka kete, double ply woven patterns, 16 cm x 15 cm…

Vintage Muka Kete Double Ply Woven Patterns

Two vintage muka kete, double ply woven patterns, 16 cm x 15 cm and 20.5 cm x 18 cm.

Maori late 19th century kiwi feather kete. Densely feathered…

Maori Kiwi Feather Kete Bag

Maori late 19th century kiwi feather kete. Densely feathered bag on finely woven flax base, with tassels. Length 15 cm, height 19 cm

Four muka kete with substantial fringes, width 30 cm approx.…

Four Muka Kete with Fringes

Four muka kete with substantial fringes, width 30 cm approx. each (variable). Provenance: John Perry collection

Two kete, the largest width.59 cm. Provenance: John Perry…

John Perry's Large Kete Collection

Two kete, the largest width.59 cm. Provenance: John Perry collection

Five kete, whakairo (patterned), kiekie, pingao and harakeke,…

Patterned Kete Collection from John Perry

Five kete, whakairo (patterned), kiekie, pingao and harakeke, the largest width 41 cm, the smallest width 17 cm (toki holder). Provenance: John Perry collection

Two small kete whakairo (patterned) and one kete houhere…

Maori Woven Baskets from John Perry Collection

Two small kete whakairo (patterned) and one kete houhere (lacebark), the largest width 19 cm. Provenance: John Perry collection

Four fine woven kete, pingao and kiekie, accompanied by a…

Antique Pingao and Kiekie Kete with Provenance

Four fine woven kete, pingao and kiekie, accompanied by a handwritten note dating the kete to 1916, the largest 29 cm wide. Provenance: John Perry collection

Flax woven bag fitted with sewn blue satin interior,…

Blue Satin Flax Woven Bag

Flax woven bag fitted with sewn blue satin interior, intertwining pattern around opening

Two kete kete houhere woven in lacebark with dyed fringe and…

Lacebark Kete Set with Dyed Fringe and Muka Accents

Two kete kete houhere woven in lacebark with dyed fringe and kete muka in pink and yellow colouring, length 21 & 24 cm

Kete muka with patterned kaupapa and wide fringe, length 28 cm

Patterned Kete with Wide Fringe (7 words)

Kete muka with patterned kaupapa and wide fringe, length 28 cm

Kiwi feather kete muka small form with some patches of feather…

Kiwi Feather Kete with Patches of Loss - Small Form

Kiwi feather kete muka small form with some patches of feather loss, 30 cm x 25 cm

Aaron Scythe 'Te Aroha Oribe' ceramic kete. Height 43 cm

Te Aroha Oribe Ceramic Kete - 43cm Height

Aaron Scythe 'Te Aroha Oribe' ceramic kete. Height 43 cm

Emily Siddell, wire and slip cast kete, 16 cm high

Wire and Slip Kete: Emily Siddell's Miniature Masterpiece

Emily Siddell, wire and slip cast kete, 16 cm high

A 19th century kiwi feather kete muka Y18260, woven in…

19th Century Kiwi Feather Kete Muka

A 19th century kiwi feather kete muka Y18260, woven in double-pai twining with dark brown dyed aho. Rolled upper edge with muka plaited handles on each side. Some loss of feathers to one side. Length 13.5 cm, width 19 cm

An old Maori worked flax bag (kete muka), plain undyed muka in…

Maori Flax Bag with Twining and Tassels

An old Maori worked flax bag (kete muka), plain undyed muka in double pair twining, two vertical bands of diverted warps and one horizontal through the mid-section, fringing on the sides and lower edge, two plaited muka handles terminating in two tassels…

An old Maori worked flax bag (kete muka), double pair twined…

Maori Flax Bag with Blue Weaving

An old Maori worked flax bag (kete muka), double pair twined with diverted warps, plain undyed muka with three vertical rows of purplish-blue weaving included, fringe to sides and lower edge. 20.5 cm x 23.5 cm.

Kete kiwi late 19th century/early 20th century, flax backing…

Flax-handled Kete Kiwi from John Griffin Collection

Kete kiwi late 19th century/early 20th century, flax backing and flax tassels to rim, twisted flax handles, width 21 cm, height 13 cm. Provenance: John Griffin collection, ex Bethunes 1973

Pair of fine woven kete

Fine Woven Kete Pair

Pair of fine woven kete

A 19th century kiwi-feather and muka kete, Y14955, 17 cm x 22 cm

Kiwi Feather and Muka Kete from 19th Century

A 19th century kiwi-feather and muka kete, Y14955, 17 cm x 22 cm

A muka kete, double pair twining decorated with white Kereru…

Feathered Twining Car Decoration

A muka kete, double pair twining decorated with white Kereru feathers and red and green kaka feathers. Y registration 17509. Length 15 cm

An early 19th century muka kete circa 1845 decoratively…

Feathered Muka Kete from 1845

An early 19th century muka kete circa 1845 decoratively feathered with kereru feathers 14 cm x 19 cm

An early 19th century muka Kete Circa 1845 decoratively…

Feathered Muka Kete from 1845

An early 19th century muka Kete Circa 1845 decoratively feathered with kereru (native pigeon) tui and Kiwi feathers Y registration pending 20 cm x 20 cm

Muka Kete robustly constructed with double pair twining and…

Robust Muka Kete with Cross Weave and Fringe

Muka Kete robustly constructed with double pair twining and cross weaved pattern and substantial fringe. Y registration pending 23 cm x 23 cm

Four food gathering kete. Width 44.5 cm max

Four Kete for Food Gathering

Four food gathering kete. Width 44.5 cm max

Four food gathering kete. Width 60 cm max

Four Kete: Gathering Foods with a 60cm Width

Four food gathering kete. Width 60 cm max

Four kete, late 20th century, with raranga. Width 43 cm max

Late 20th Century Raranga Kete Set

Four kete, late 20th century, with raranga. Width 43 cm max

Three small kete, with raranga, Y12954, Y12952, Y12953. Width…

Three Handwoven Kete with Raranga - 27cm Width

Three small kete, with raranga, Y12954, Y12952, Y12953. Width 27 cm max

Four food gathering kete, mid-20th century. Width 52 cm max

Mid-20th Century Food Gathering Kete Set

Four food gathering kete, mid-20th century. Width 52 cm max

Kete muka. A large example of a woven constructed muka bag with…

Chequered Muka Bag with Raised Wave Pattern and Fringe

Kete muka. A large example of a woven constructed muka bag with double pair twining, separated warps in a raised wave pattern in a chequered design, and a substantial fringe. Height 30 cm. Width 43 cm.

Kete muka. A masterfully constructed muka bag with double pair…

Double Pair Twined Muka Bag with Wave Pattern

Kete muka. A masterfully constructed muka bag with double pair twining, separated warps in a intertwined wave pattern, and a substantial fringe with tassels. Purple and blue dyed warp decoration, with a silk lining. Height 35 cm. Width 47 cm.

Fine kete. A good example of a muka bag with single pair…

Muka Bag with Single Pair Twining and Large Fringe

Fine kete. A good example of a muka bag with single pair twining, with large fringe. Very good condition. Height 21.5 cm. Width 30 cm.

Kete muka. Two small muka bags, in very good condition. Height…

Pair of Small Muka Bags in Excellent Condition

Kete muka. Two small muka bags, in very good condition. Height eight 24 cm. Width 20 cm. Height 12.5 cm. Length 10.5 cm.

Kete muka kiwi. Very good example of a finely made kiwi feather…

Kiwi Feather Kete with Double Pair Twining

Kete muka kiwi. Very good example of a finely made kiwi feather kete, double pair twining with kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). The muka kaupapa is in good condition. Two decorative tassels to the front and one on the back. Height 17 cm.…

Kete muka kiwi. Extremely fine construction with double paired…

Kiwi Feather Twined Kete

Kete muka kiwi. Extremely fine construction with double paired twining and kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). Very good condition. Height 21 cm. Width 25 cm.

Kete muka kiwi. Early woven kete single twining with attached…

Kiwi Feathered Woven Kete

Kete muka kiwi. Early woven kete single twining with attached kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). Some feather loss. Height 19 cm. Width 24 cm.

A rare 19th century large kiwi feather bag (kete). Woven flax…

Rare 19th Century Kiwi Feather Bag

A rare 19th century large kiwi feather bag (kete). Woven flax in superb condition. Length 39 cm. Width 37 cm. Depth 35 cm

A Maori feather bag (kete). Feathers include pheasant and…

Maori Feather Kete Bag with Pheasant and Pukeko Feathers

A Maori feather bag (kete). Feathers include pheasant and Pukeko. Wool fringe with handles. Includes note about the history of kete. Length 18 cm. Width 8 cm

A late 19th century/early-20th century muka kete/tea cosy,…

Looped and Wavy Banded Muka Kete/Tea Cosy

A late 19th century/early-20th century muka kete/tea cosy, banded with looped and wavy woven designs, long tasselled fringe with bow and tassel to the tapered end. Note: similar kete are recorded as being made c.1890 as 'Fashion' or dress items intended…

Fine kete, with double pair twining, highlighted with a raised…

Blue Wave Patterned Kete with Double Twining and Handles

Fine kete, with double pair twining, highlighted with a raised wave pattern. Natural blue dye with two attached handles. Height 15 cm. Width 11.5 cm (bag only)

Fine kiwi kete finely made kiwi feather kete. Double pair…

Kiwi Feather Twined Kete

Fine kiwi kete finely made kiwi feather kete. Double pair twining with kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). The muka kaupapa is in good condition. Some loss of feathers evident. Length 13 cm. Width 14 cm

Fine kiwi kete superb kiwi-feather kete. Double-pair twining…

Kiwi Feather Twined Kete

Fine kiwi kete superb kiwi-feather kete. Double-pair twining with kiwi feathers attached on every second aho (weft). The muka kaupapa is in good condition. Feathers in good condition. Length 20 cm. Width 20 cm

Fine kete Robustly constructed from cotton-based twine. Both…

Feathered Cotton Kete

Fine kete Robustly constructed from cotton-based twine. Both sides are covered with various coloured feathers that are attached on every second aho (weft). Length 20 cm. Width 22 cm