A Finely Carved Polynesian Maori Feather ‘Treasure Box’ and Cover

With superb colour and patina
Wood, haliotis (abalone) shell
New Zealand
Early 19th Century

Size: 14cm high, 51cm wide, 18.5cm deep - 5½ ins high, 20 ins wide, 7¼ ins deep

Provenance:
Alex Manoogian, USA (founder of Masco Corporation)
Ex Private French collection
Ex Alain Schoffel collection, Paris until 1994
Ex Private French collection
Ex Yann Ferrandin
Ex Private UK collection

This finely carved wood ‘treasure box’ would have belonged to an important Maori elder or chief to keep safe their precious objects, Hei Tiki’s (nephrite pendants) feathers (often from the ‘huia’ bird and other artefacts which were precious to the chief, ancestors and tribe. Carved from a native hard wood, the box has terminals to each end with ‘god-tiki’ heads, inlaid with haliotis (abalone) shell.
A masterpiece of Maori carving with a beautiful deep rich patina.