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
A good large old Māori mere pounamu
of exceptional form with wide spatulate blade narrowing to the grip, hour-glass suspension hole, the rounded butt with four incised grooves. The mid to dark green tone with black included flecks with pale semi translucent section. L.370mm. Registered Y.886.
Realised: $8,000
A good 19thC Fijian Vuasagale whale tooth necklace,
comprising a graduated series of eleven small whole sperm whale teeth with excellent old patina, with traditional old woven fibre lashing and some later cord reinforcement. The longest tooth 100mm. Provenance: Private family collection, Palmerston North. 'It was gifted to us by a grandfather who was known to travel in the Pacific Islands'. 'As long as the family can remember, our grandfather had this, and it has been sitting in the drawer of an old writing desk for decades.'
Realised: $8,000
An impressive framed display of eight gold and other silver coins from the historical New Zealand 'Elingamite' shipwreck
the eight gold half sovereigns 1902 Sydney mint plus 29 other silver and copper coins, all in one frame with reprint photo of the SS Elingamite'. Note: The Elingamite an Australian passenger steamer of 2,585 tons, built in 1887, and owned by Huddart Parker was wrecked in 1902 off the north coast of New Zealand carrying a large consignment of gold.
Realised: $6,000
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 large old Māori toki pounamu (adze)
of long narrow mildly tapered form, scarf groove and snap marks evident to the lateral sides. Good overall polish, rounded sharp bevel, mid to dark green tone with 'cloudy' (snow flake like) pale inclusions. L.308mm. Provenance: Ex. Jenny Gibbs collection. Y.21792.
Realised: $4,000
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
A vintage painted heavy cast bronze New Zealand Coat of Arms - the design reflects New Zealand's history as a bicultural nation, with Zealandia, a European female figure on one side and a Māori Rangatira (chief) on the other. The symbols on the central shield represent New Zealand's trade, agriculture and industry, and a Crown represents New Zealand's status as a constitutional monarchy. 610 x 590mm.
Realised: $3,300
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
A 19thC Māori carved pounamu (Bowenite) hei tiki
with hands to thighs, chin to left shoulder, red sealing wax to eyes. Translucent mid green tone. H.105mm. Registered Y.13257.
Realised: $3,000