item details
Overview
This finely carved papa hou (treasure box) features reclining male and female figures on the lid representing male and female ancestors. The figures have bare, uncarved torsos. The remaining surface area of the lid is covered with pākati (dog tooth pattern) notches, haehae (parallel grooves), and double rauru spirals running in broken diagonals around the outside of the main figures. (Rauru are rauponga - an alternating pattern of pākati notches and haehae - when used as a spiral. The design is possibly named after Rauru, who is sometimes credited with being the first carver.) Concentric ellipses combined with pākati notches and haehae make up the rest of the surface decorations. The side areas have interlocking double rauru spirals with multiple pākati notches and haehae running in fairly uniform diagonals in the form of whakarare (distortions) along the surface area. The papa hou is covered with kōkōwai (red ochre) oil, and has two small protruding heads at either end to act as 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.
Acquisition
This papa hou was repatriated to New Zealand from Britain in 1958 as part of the K A Webster bequest to the people of New Zealand. A name inside the lid reads 'Reverend T Gucirete', who may be the original collector.