Heru (ornamental comb)

Heru (ornamental combs) were traditionally used by Māori men to fasten their long hair, which was oiled and sometimes braided, up into topknots. The topknots were augmented with heru and bird feathers, particularly feathers from the now extinct hūia (native New Zealand bird: Heteralocha acutirostris). Heru indicated the rank of the wearer, and were either carved from a single piece of wood or whale bone, or made from individual wooden teeth intricately lashed together.

Details
This heru is carved from a single piece of wood and has twenty-three teeth. It is adorned with the carved head of a manaia (stylised beaked figure) with inlaid pāua (large New Zealand abalone with blue-green inner shell) shell eyes.

Acquisition
It is likely that this heru was collected on one of Captain James Cook's voyages to New Zealand. Scientists and artists on each voyage were charged with collecting objects and describing and illustrating their discoveries. In addition the crew often exchanged goods with the Pacific people they met. Te Papa has significant collections derived from these voyages, but uncertainty surrounds some of the objects, like this heru. Were they really collected by Cook or members of his expedition? It can be difficult to prove.