19th C Maori Wood Tokotoko Leader Orator Staff w/ Nacre

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Exceptional Ancient, Ethnographic, & Fine Art...

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
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• Lot Description
  **First Time At Auction**
  
  Oceania, New Zealand, Maori people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand carved wooden tokotokoe with a mesmerizing "corkscrew" shape with abstract tiki figures just under the bulbous finial and Nacre shells are inlaid along the 4 lower rotations. Tokotoko is a traditional Maori staff used by an highly respected leader or orator as a symbol of authority and status. Carved along its full length aside from its bottom tip and rounded finial, with intricate scrolling kowhaiwhai patterns over a twisting surface - with a narrow openwork area head to top - perhaps for securing a cord or feather ornaments. The deep carving and notching, known as pakati, is characteristic off Maori art that are related to tattoos. The tiki figures and motifs are representations of a tupuna or ancestors related to the tokotoko's owner, representing family lineage and thus their authority or right to speak. Size: 35" L x 1.5" W (88.9 cm x 3.8 cm)
  
  Maori wood carving is an incredible art form, its practitioners rightly recognized as masters. Their woodcarving tradition lasted in many areas into the later nineteenth century despite colonization and missionaries. Carving schools in several areas of the country kept the Maori tradition alive. Carvers used local trees, and a prayer known as a karakia would be said prior to cutting them down, thus showing respect for the forest. Massive wooden architectural elements, such as those still preserved at Whakarewarewa, reflect similar carved elements to those on this stick. Indeed, the tokotoko is designed to have motifs associated with the Wharenui, or meeting house in a community. The Kaumatua in the family - an older person who is the keeper of knowledge and passes it on orally - may hold the tokotoko while speaking with the people gathered in the Wharenui for a Hui (gathering).
  
  For a near identical example of a tokotoko, please see the Museum of New Zealand's website, registration number: OL000024.S/3
  
  Provenance: Private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired from Morning Star Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in 2000
  
  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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #177413

  Condition

  Old stable pressure fissures and chips to finial head and along the length. Small area of repair with a resin or wax to lower twist (2nd from bottom tip) along the edge and around nacre inlay. Overall excellent and lustrous and smooth patina.
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