Finely Carved Taiaha with Sharp Strike Blade

Early taiaha, a well-carved head with ovoid raised eyes.…
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Early taiaha, a well-carved head with ovoid raised eyes. Strongly carved nose and upper lip; tongue is beautifully executed and terminates in a sharp tip. Short strike blade is finely balanced and completed with broad, round-form tip. Soft, red-brown patina. Length 104 cm. Width 4.3 cm

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  • Patination / Patina - In broad terms, patination refers to the exterior surface appearance of the timber, the effect of fading caused by exposure to sunlight and air over the course of a century or more, changing the piece to a soft, mellow colour.

    As patina is very difficult to replicate, it is one of the most important guides to determining the age of furniture.

    Patina is also the term applied to the bloom or film found on old bronzes due to oxidisation.
  • Oviform /ovoid - The outline loosely resembling the shape of an egg.

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