item details
Overview
This waka huia (treasure box) is fully carved with pākati (dog tooth pattern) notches and haehae (parallel grooves) in the form of waharua (two mouths) patterns running down the length and meeting at the centre-line on the bottom of the box. It is coloured with red ochre and dark pigment oils to enhance the carving. The terminal ends gradually taper off into manaia (carved beaked figures) heads for handles.
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.
Acquisition
This waka huia (treasure box) was gifted to the museum in 1913 by the Wellington merchant, bibliophile, and collector A H Turnbull (1868-1918). Turnbull commissioned Māori artists to produce carved works for his collection.