Rare 19th Century Tiheru Canoe Bailer

A rare 19th century Tiheru (canoe bailer), with tapering scoop fully carved to the underside with pakati and haehae designs. The handle carved as two parallel bars terminating in a wheku head. Probably made from Kaikawaka (NZ cedar) due to its light weight and buoyancy. Bailers of this type were typically used on smaller waka on coastal and inland waterways. Another similar example from the East cape dating from 1850 is held in the collection of the British Museum. Illustrated in 'Taonga Maori in the British Museum' by Roger Neich and Mick Pendergrast, another example was sold in our last Maori and Oceanic sale. Lot 223, 45 cm length.