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.

21 items found:

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

Ketu, early 19th century agricultural tool, carved wooden…

19th Century Ketu Agricultural Tool from John Lawford Estate

Ketu, early 19th century agricultural tool, carved wooden paddle shaped tool, used to loosen soil around plants, abrasions to point of the digging end, length 76 cm. Provenance: Estate of John Lawford.

Ketu, wooden digging implement, dark brown wood, oval handle,…

Ketu: Wooden Digging Tool from John Lawford Estate

Ketu, wooden digging implement, dark brown wood, oval handle, with single suspension hole, short rounded shaft and paddle shaped blade, length 45 cm. Provenance: Estate of John Lawford.

Ketu, wooden digging implement, dark brown wood, oval handle…

Vintage Ketu Digging Tool from John Lawford's Estate

Ketu, wooden digging implement, dark brown wood, oval handle and single suspension hole, short rounded edged shaft, paddle shaped blade, length 39.6 cm. Provenance: Estate of John Lawford.

Ketu (digging implement), with tapering shaft and paddle shaped…

Ketu: Traditional Maori Digging Tool for Kumara Planting

Ketu (digging implement), with tapering shaft and paddle shaped blade. Used for loosening the soil around kumara plants. Some small chips to the blade, length 47 cm.

An old Maori ketu (digging implement), with elongated oval…

Maori Ketu Digging Implement with Bulbous Handle

An old Maori ketu (digging implement), with elongated oval blade, curved shaft and long bulbous handle, length 60 cm.

A rare and fine bible in Te Reo. A rare, late 19th century…

Rare Maori New Testament Bible, 1894

A rare and fine bible in Te Reo. A rare, late 19th century Maori translation of the New Testament bible. According to Darlow and Moule, in 1884 at the request of the BFBS, W Maunsell undertook a fresh revision of the whole bible, adding chapter-headings.…

19th century Ketu (digging stick), ebonised wood with…

Ebonised Ketu Digging Stick with Demarcated Grip

19th century Ketu (digging stick), ebonised wood with demarcated grip and pointed end. 60 cm length.

A large swamp recovered Ketu (digging stick), 82 cm length.

Recovered: 82cm Ketu Digging Stick from Swamp

A large swamp recovered Ketu (digging stick), 82 cm length.

A swamp recovered Ketu (digging stick) and paddle. Provenance:…

Ketu and Paddle from Swamp Recovery

A swamp recovered Ketu (digging stick) and paddle. Provenance: field collection, Ketu; 71 cm, paddle; 64 cm length

Ketu (digging implement), with tapering shaft and paddle shaped…

Ketu: Paddle-shaped digging tool for Kumara plants

Ketu (digging implement), with tapering shaft and paddle shaped blade. Used for loosening the soil around Kumara plants, length 54 cm

Ketu (digging implement), with tapering shaft and paddle shaped…

Ketu: Kumara Plant Loosening Tool

Ketu (digging implement), with tapering shaft and paddle shaped blade. Used for loosening the soil around Kumara plants, length 61 cm

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.

A copy of the new Testament in Maori, Ko te Kawenata Hou..,…

Maori New Testament 1844

A copy of the new Testament in Maori, Ko te Kawenata Hou.., octavo, calf bound, pub, London 1844, in half red leather-bound conservation book box.

A swamp recovered ko (digging implement), showing considerable…

Worn Swamp Ko: 183cm Digging Implement Recovery

A swamp recovered ko (digging implement), showing considerable wear, 183 cm length

Two 20th century Maori carved digging sticks, hardwood with…

Maori Carved Digging Sticks with Footrests

Two 20th century Maori carved digging sticks, hardwood with adzed finish, both with fibre lashed footrests. Approximate lengths 210 cm.

An old Maori wooden palisade spike/digging stick, registered…

Maori Palisade Spike/Digging Stick (Y09630)

An old Maori wooden palisade spike/digging stick, registered Y09630.

18th century or earlier carved ketu (spade) of relatively short…

Antique Carved Ketu Spade with Serpentine Handle

18th century or earlier carved ketu (spade) of relatively short length with flat blade and serpentine form handle, length 62 cm

Digging sticks & Adze/club, South Australian origin, 67 cm and…

South Australian Indigenous Tools: Digging Stick and Adze/Club

Digging sticks & Adze/club, South Australian origin, 67 cm and 61 cm

Group of Ko. Good collection of early agricultural wooden…

Early Agricultural Digging Sticks Collection

Group of Ko. Good collection of early agricultural wooden digging sticks, weathered dry patina. Length 280 cm. Width 5 cm. Length 222 cm. Width 6 cm. Length 154 cm. Width 5 cm.

A Maori wooden weeding implement (ketu). Kink in grip shaft.…

Maori Ketu Weeding Implement with Knob Grip

A Maori wooden weeding implement (ketu). Kink in grip shaft. Grip shaft finishes in a long knob. Length 79.3 cm. Provenance: Ex-Wagener Museum

A Maori wooden Digging stick (Ko), with twine band. Some white…

Maori Digging Stick with Twine Band, 90cm

A Maori wooden Digging stick (Ko), with twine band. Some white residue to end. Length 90 cm