Hei tiki (pendant in human form)

A well formed hei tiki with head inclined toward the right shoulder, ribs lightly marked on body, and hands on thighs. There is a small patch of pitch on the neck on reverse side, and green with brown mottling on the body and head, which may indicate fire damage. The suspension hole has been broken.

This hei tiki was once in the collection of Sir David Monro, New Zealand's second Speaker of the House of Representatives (1861-1870). Monro probably acquired it in Nelson, where he was an active and prominent citizen, during the mid-nineteenth century. Interestingly, Monro, a Scottish ex-pat, decided to send his son, Charles John Monro, to England to complete his education at Christ's College, Finchley, London, prior to enlisting in the army. On his return to Nelson Monro organised New Zealand's first rugby game between Nelson Town and Nelson College, played on the 14 may 1870.