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.
Stacy Gordine (1970-) (Ngāti Porou) carved whalebone wahine hei tiki
of good deep profile, her head titled with chin to her left shoulder, aqua stained fine moko kauae, paua shell ring inlays to her eyes and stylised heads as her hands and feet. Her headdress more evident from the reverse as two huia feathers and a heru. L.110mm. Note: Recently authenticated by artist, carved c.2017. The Te Papa collection holds works by Gordine.
Realised: $15,500
An early 20thC carved Māori tekoteko,
the standing three-dimensional male figure with pronounced moustache and 'mutton chop' sideburns partially covering his facial moko. Naturalistically represented rather than stylistically, as being the commission or current fashion at that time. His hands with knobbly fingers, clasped to his front holding a flute. He wears a piupiu in a geometric pattern, the scrolling waist band with stylised mask to the front. A lizard carved lying between his legs. Dark stained with pale highlights. H.800mm. Vendor's provenance: Ex. Sir Ernest Davis's (Hancock's) Rotorua Grand Hotel. Being the second hotel built after the fire of the first hotel (1905). The second hotel was built on the same site. In 1973 (December): This second iteration of the Grand Hotel also succumbed to a massive fire. Note: Elements of this carving reflect the work of Tene Waitere's style of European commissions. With regards to Tene, it is recorded 'He carved massive mantelpieces in the Grand Hotel, Auckland, and the Grand Hotel, Rotorua'. It is recorded that 'The combination of traditional elements with influences from European art can only be found in the works that Tene produced for European clients. He used these commissions to explore new compositional principles.' This and the following lot apparently sat either side of the fireplace in the Rotorua Grand Hotel's main lounge. Acquired by our vendors in 1978 through their connection with Mollie Carr, Sir Ernest Davis's daughter.
Realised: $8,500
An uncommon Charlie Raponi Wilson carved double sided hei tiki,
type I style carved of kawakawa variety pounamu with subtle inclusions. Features finely serrated paua shell inset eyes, crisp detailing, and a high-quality polish. Drilled suspension hole present; current cord is attached through the left arm. With original certificate of Authenticity signed by the Charles Raponi Wilson and Jane Fahy, dated 4/12/13. Note: double sided hei tikis are uncommon. Charlie Raponi Wilson (Ngati Rangitihi, Tuhourangi) has been carving for over 30 years and is recognised as one of the finest carvers of hei tiki. Recently he was commissioned by N.Z. Post to carve a hei tiki to be featured on its annual Matariki stamp series. H.110mm.
Realised: $6,500
Charlie (Raponi) Wilson carved inanga greenstone hei tiki,
pale/mid-green colourway, finely detail with the head turned to the right shoulder, ears evident, inlaid paua shell ring eyes, left hand to the chest, the right to the right thigh, defined belly. Note: Charles Raponi Wilson has been carving since the 1960s and is recognised as a leading carver of hei tiki, drawing inspiration from ancestral taonga. In 2009 he was commissioned by N.Z. Post along with other leading N.Z. artists to carve a hei tiki to feature on its annual Matariki stamp series. In 2010 his design was selected to feature on N.Z.'s most valuable legal tender coin - the 1oz. gold coin. Length 96mm. Authenticated by artist as carved c.2012
Realised: $6,000
A Cook Island chief's stool (iri or nohora'a),
cut from one piece of reddish/brown wood, curved top and four legs with heart-shaped feet. 480 x 230 x 160mm. Note: Collected in Atiu in 1913 by a doctor working in the Cook Islands. Provenance: From the collection of the late Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki curator - Ron Brownson (1952-2023).
Realised: $4,800
An early 20thC carved Māori tekoteko,
the standing three-dimensional male figure with pronounced moustache and 'mutton chop' sideburns partially covering his facial moko. Naturalistically represented rather than stylistically, as being the commission or current fashion at that time. His hands with knobbly fingers clasped to his chest, one holding a mere. He wears a piupiu in a geometric pattern, the scrolling waist band with stylised mask to the front. A lizard carved lying between his legs. Dark stained with pale highlights. H.800mm. Vendor's provenance: Ex. Sir Ernest Davis's (Hancock's) Rotorua Grand Hotel. Being the second hotel built after the fire of the first hotel (1905). The second hotel was built on the same site. In 1973 (December): This second iteration of the Grand Hotel also succumbed to a massive fire. Note: Elements of this carving reflect the work of Tene Waitere's style of European commissions. With regards to Tene, it is recorded 'He carved massive mantelpieces in the Grand Hotel, Auckland, and the Grand Hotel, Rotorua'. This and the following lot apparently sat either side of the fireplace in the Rotorua Grand Hotel's main lounge. Acquired by our vendors in 1978 through their connection with Mollie Carr, Sir Ernest Davis's daughter.
Realised: $4,700
A framed Huia feather,
traditional near-black tone with white tip, colour matched shaft, end absent. Feather length 130mm. Framed 320 x 265mm.
Realised: $3,800
An old Māori carved ammo whare front board,
deeply carved with two stylised figures with serrated paua disc eyes and angled top. Heavy dark stained finish. H.1040mm. The reverse detailed in graphite 'D.P. Jones Urenui 1967'.
Realised: $3,400
An uncommon modern Charlie Raponi Wilson carved Marsden Flower pounamu double sided hei tiki,
both sides with hands clasped to thighs and head on an angle with serrated edged paua shell inset eyes, finely detailed and in good polish. Of good mid green tone with pale 'flower' highlights. Note: double sided hei tikis are uncommon. Charlie Raponi Wilson (Ngati Rangitihi, Tuhourangi) has been carving for over 30 years and is recognised as one of the finest carvers of hei tiki. Recently he was commissioned by N.Z. Post to carve a hei tiki to be featured on its annual Matariki stamp series. H.110mm.
Realised: $3,400
The original Waikato Brewery artwork 'Willie the Waiter' by Richard Abnett,
ink and watercolour painting. Painted 1945 when Richard (Dick) Abnett was the resident artist at the Waikato Brewery. 203 x 150mm. Vendor's provenance: 'This was Given to my father, Don Laurence, in 1970’s'. He was an engraver in Hamilton in Hood Street – Laurence Engraver’s Ltd. and a friend of the manager of the Waikato Brewery. My father produced the moulds for the tie pins and other items throughout the years. The Willie the Waiter design was changed and simplified to create the pins - The hair strips on Willie were removed, the shoes where more pointed, the bottles were black. Note: This image was based on a real waiter, William T. Walter, who worked at the Innes Family Waikato Brewery. It is thought that the Innes Family Waikato Brewery was the first brewery to be fully owned by a woman (Mary Jane Innes) in New Zealand.
Realised: $3,200