Wakahuia (treasure box)

item details

NameWakahuia (treasure box)

ProductionUnknown; carver; 1820-1900; North Island

Classificationcontainers

Materialswood

Techniqueswoodcarving

DimensionsOverall: 145mm (width), 510mm (length), 115mm (depth), 1370.8g (weight)

Registration NumberME002437

Credit lineSir Walter Buller Collection. Gift of W. Leo Buller, 1911

Overview

This waka huia (treasure box) is fully carved with pākati (dog tooth pattern) notches and haehae (parallel grooves) in the form of whakarare (distorted) patterns comprising the main motifs. The whakarare patterns are beautiful in their symmetry and execution. On the lid, these motifs are arranged around the rauponga (an alternating pattern of pākati notches and haehae) pattern extending from the centre-line. The terminal ends gradually taper off into manaia (carved beaked figures) heads on the anthropomorphous figures extending from beneath the ends of the box.

Papa hou and waka huia
The rectangular form of papa hou is a northern variation of the more widespread waka huia, which are canoe shaped. The other main difference between the two forms is that papa hou are not carved on the bottom, whereas waka huia are.

Usage
Waka huia were used to contain the treasured personal adornments of both men and women - items such as hei tiki (pendants) and hūia (extinct New Zealand bird: Heteralocha acutirostris) feathers for decorating and dressing the hair. They were hung from the interior rafters of houses.