Elaborate Taiaha with Serrated Paua-Shell Eyes

Chiefly taiaha This piece offers significant size and presence.…
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Chiefly taiaha This piece offers significant size and presence. The arero (tongue) is elaborately decorated with fine and highly skilled triple h'h' and pakati carving. Abstracted teeth forms accentuate the mouth. Large serrated paua-shell eyes in oval form are embedded, with the high brow offering further intricate carving which differs slightly on either side. Mid-section of staff has a naturally occurring hole. This prestigious taiaha was gifted to John Daniels by a chief from the Gisborne area in the 19th century whilst he was working to salvage a ship; after this, the chief joined Daniels in mount Victoria, Wellington, for a short period. Length 192.5 cm, width 9 cm

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