Tribal Artefacts & New Zealand Historical
Maori and Pacific artefacts are especially in demand. Cordy’s team of in-house experts can assist you in maximising the best results for rare and special pieces as well as complete collections. We have a combined expertise of over 70 years handling many of the best collections and single pieces ever to come to the market. Additionally, New Zealand historical items such as ephemera and photography are keenly sought after. New Zealand’s relatively short history sees pieces which relate to our growing nation being sought by institutions and private collectors who form our client base.
A rare massive New Zealand (Northland) kauri gum boulder,
of natural form with polished top, showing good mid to dark toning's with semi translucence. 500 x 380 x 215mm. 16.9kgs. Note: This is the largest kauri gum boulder we have ever sold and one of the largest we know about. It is recorded by Te Ara (The Encyclopaedia of NZ) that 'By the 1890s, pieces weighing around 5 kilograms were uncommon.'
Realised: $10,000
A rare ancient very large whales tooth,
blackened finish, reduction to outer layer at tip end. L.230mm. 907gm. Provenance: Found Okawa Bay, Chatham Islands c1930-1950 by Mrs S.P. Troy who lived there 'for a number of years'. Mrs Troy gifted a large collection of artefacts 'many pieces thousands of years old' to Auckland Museum. See copy of newspaper article about this tooth and the collection, also stating that 'According to Auckland Museum archaeologist Mr E. Simmons this whales tooth... is over four million years old.'
Realised: $9,500
A Māori pre-European pounamu hei tiki,
Type II, of female form, well carved with head turned to the left shoulder, displays small recessed ring eyes, chin and ear projections, the counter sunk suspension hole dominantly drilled from the reverse One hand to the chest with wear to the three fingered hand, the other hand to the left thigh. Pale to mid green tone. Possibly heat treated. This practice is recorded as being under taken to improve the appearance. Provenance: Inherited from vendor's father who farmed in Northland and Auckland area. L.106mm. Registered Y22247.
Realised: $8,000
A New Zealand native timber handkerchief box by Anton Seuffert,
the top finely inlaid with a central cartouche depicting amaidenhair fern, surrounded by scrolling acanthus leaves, in burr totara and rewarewa. The sides with Gothic arched panels displaying various native timbers. Original early burgundy Seuffert label to the interior. Hinges and lock absent. 230 x 170 x 130mm.
Realised: $7,500
Rarotonga (Cook Islands) old stone bound and wood hafted adze,
the tapered blade with V-form detail, finely woven and plaited sennet cord binding, mildly tapered oval section handle. L.660mm
Realised: $3,800
A 19thC or earlier Māori carved wooden taiaha with feather and dog hair wrap,
traditional carved mask with entwined spiral carved tongue, plain tapered shaft. The old, patterned fabric wrap with feather and dog fur remains. L.1480mm. Registered Y22245.
Realised: $3,400
An old Māori mere pounamu,
the handle with four concentric grooves and tapered suspension hole to the pronounced oval butt, short, reduced grip. The large blade mildly tapered with mildly curved end. Probably kawakawa variety with slightly yellow veining and pale flecks. L.360mm. Registered Y21280.
Realised: $3,000
A large Māori carved tekoteko stylised figure,
spiral carved detail with all-over adzed detail. The fingers carved in a similar style to those carved by Rangi Redman. An 'S' carvers mark to the reverse at the base. H.1220mm.
Realised: $2,900
A 19thC or earlier Māori whalebone patu,
traditional spatulate blade tapering to the edges, the reduced tapered grip with single groove to the small butt. L.353mm. Registered Y21215.
Realised: $2,800
A Māori carved whalebone patiti (hatchet) by Charlie Raponi Wilson,
the traditionally carved handle with stylised mask to the butt, curving lineal and notch detail to the back, a pierced and carved mask to each side below the old steel trade axe blade. L.300mm.
Realised: $2,600