JEWELLERY, DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS AUCTION Tuesday, 27 October 2026 / 10:00 am start
A rare female huia beak and gold brooch,
Realised: $10,500 plus premium
Lot Details
engraved and gilded 9ct gold cap to one end, and another small band to the other. L.88mm. Note: The last confirmed sighting of a huia was in 1907. The huia was already a rare bird before the arrival of Europeans, confined to the Ruahine, Tararua, Rimutaka and Kaimanawa mountain ranges in the south-east of the North Island. It was remarkable for its pronounced sexual dimorphism in bill shape; the female's beak was long, thin and arched downward, while the male's was short and stout. Note: Inherited through vendor's family who farmed in Okoia, near Wanganui. Arriving in New Plymouth c.1840.
Other items you may like from this sale
A pair of contemporary sculpted resin huia birds on naturalistic branch trunk base,
Estimate: $1,400 - $2,800
A late 19thC gilded 9ct gold and pounamu tusk form brooch,
Estimate: $160 - $300
19thC Māori muka kete kiwi,
Estimate: $1,100 - $1,600
A late 19thC Māori whalebone heru (hair comb) attributed to Patoromu Tamatea,
Estimate: $2,200 - $4,400
c.1900 pounamu and 9ct gold brooch,
Estimate: $200 - $400
An early Māori hoanga (grinding/sharpening stone),
Estimate: $180 - $360
An old Māori hoe (paddle) 'Te Hoe o Tainui' with Tainui provenance,
Estimate: $1,400 - $3,000
A Victorian 9ct gold and red coral cameo brooch,
Estimate: $800 - $1,500
A 19thC or earlier mahe (sinker),
Estimate: $200 - $400
A Māori old trolling lure (pa kahawai),
Estimate: $500 - $1,000
A rare Māori pre-European burnishing (knapping) stone,
Estimate: $220 - $440
A silver gilt diamond set pheasant brooch,
Estimate: $460 - $650
A c.1900 9ct gilded rose gold and tiger's claw 'MIZPAH' brooch,
Estimate: $200 - $400
A Royal Doulton 'Māori Art' small jardiniere,
Estimate: $800 - $1,600
A New Zealand made colonial heavy silver hinged lid box,
Estimate: $400 - $800
A Royal Doulton 'Māori Art' vase,
Estimate: $700 - $1,400
A Victorian 15ct gold pearl diamond and sapphire brooch,
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000
Impressive 19thC large gilded 15ct gold framed carved cameo shell brooch,
Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Two late 19thC carved kauri gum heads,
Estimate: $300 - $600
