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THB19th C. Maori Wood Ko Teka Step Humanoid Tiki Figure
Lot 233
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$15,000 - $20,000
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| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Mar 9, 2023
Set Reminder
2023-03-09 10:00:00
2023-03-09 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Ancient, Ethnographic, & Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-ancient-ethnographic-fine-art-12354
Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (413)
- Lot Description
**Originally Listed At $15000**
Oceania, New Zealand, Maori, ca. 19th century CE. An incredible hand-carved wooden implement that acted as a footrest or step for a digging spade known as a teka, with discoidal nacre shell inlays. This teka is elaborate with a humanoid tiki figure head set into the front, with a handle-like neck and body protruding along the underside of the flattened step plinth. The surface is deeply incised with notches and curvilinear shapes, these carvings distinguish and identify the tribe that the step belonged to - which were usually simple, whereas this is a beautifully detailed example! The word "tiki" means carved human figure, possibly originating from the myth of Tiki, the first man. The use of the teka step corresponds to origin stories and the god's blessings. Size: 10" L x 3" W x 3.75" H (25.4 cm x 7.6 cm x 9.5 cm)
Turning the soil before planting was a ritualistic event - Rongo and Pani, the gods of agriculture, must bless the land before any sowing. The digging tool known as a "ko" was a paddle shaped shovel, adorned with this ceremonial step hafted partway up the shaft as a leverage aid for the digger. A priest would recite prayers while breaking the first ground with this special ko. The teka was used like a shovel step - the person would press his foot into the flat surface of the teka. After a few ceremonial digs, the rest of the field was then dug by laborers with plain ko spades. The teka was removed from the ceremonial ko and set in a repository until the next planting.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Provenance: private Monroe, Connecticut, USA collection, acquired September 2021; ex-Humpal collection, Geronimo Traders, Cornish, New Hampshire, USA, acquired 2015; ex-Havaski Oceanic and Tribal Arts, Hanalei, Hawaii, USA, acquired before 2012; ex-private New Zealand collection, between 2005 to 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#173221Surface abrasions as expected with age and use and stable pressure fissures. Minor nicks to high pointed dares, otherwise intact and great condition. Dark patina throughout.Condition
- Shipping Info
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