Title / object name Wakahuia (treasure box)
| Maker | Role | Date |
| Unknown | carver | 1700-1777 |
Materials wood
| Dimensions |
| Overall | 251 (Height) x 767 (Length) x 255 (Width/Depth) mm |
Classification containers
Technique woodcarving
Registration Number OL000003
Credit LineOldman Collection. Gift of the New Zealand Government, 1992
A large and expertly crafted wakahuia carved in the East Coast style. It has been suggested that this wakahuia has been carved in the Turanga style of the Rongowhakaata tribe based on stylistic attribution. The lid is dominated by two large male and female figures carved in bold relief and joined in sexual union.
This wakahuia was formerly part of the collection of the museum of Sir Spencer Maryon-Wilson (1829-1879), Baronet, and Lieutenant in Her Majesty's Royal Navy, and was registered as being collected by Captain James Cook, 'the explorer', probably at Gisborne during his first voyage to New Zealand in 1769 aboard the barque Endeavour.