19th Century Carved Papahou Treasure Box

A superb 19th century Papahou (treasure box), the highly decorative box extensively carved to the top, base and sides. The sides with interweaving manaia figures with wheku heads. The base similarly carved with complex designs depicting manaia and marakihau, their bodies adorned with rauponga intersected with rauru and whakaionui spirals. The lid sits within a rebated top carved with conforming decoration to the back and sides . Each end pierced for suspension and carved with interlocking inward facing manaia figures, 58 cm length. 16 cm width. Provenance: Private Collection Auckland