'Nother Maori Wahaika

kronckew · 2nd June 2016, 09:27 PM

got this one really cheap. looks a bit crudely carved in places. nice human 'face' pommel, carved lanyard hole formed by the toungue protruding from it's mouth and looping back to it's chin. swirl pattern carved main blade, which tapers to a very sharp edge all around the almost circular part above the tiki, which is also a bit crude. wood colour is darker on one side than the other. fairly heavy at 474 grams, it's 44cm. long. suspect it's 'vintage' at best. possibly maori carved for someone's personal use in a friendly brawl or haka?
(front view of face processed a bit to show detail)

VANDOO · 5th June 2016, 05:31 PM

THIS EXAMPLE HAS SEVERAL THINGS INCONSISTENT WITH MAORI WORK. IT APPEARS TO BE MADE OF MAHOGANY WHICH IS TOO LIGHT AND SOFT FOR THE DETAILED MAORI CARVING AND TOO LIGHT AND FRAGILE FOR A WEAPON. THE WAY THE CORD IS ATTACHED IS NOT TYPICAL MAORI AND THE CARVING LOOKS MORE INDONESIAN THAN MAORI. A INTERESTING ITEM BUT I AM GLAD YOU GOT IT CHEAP AS THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ITEM.

Ian · 5th June 2016, 06:20 PM

I agree with Vandoo. Could be from Bali, a popular tourist destination.

Ian

2nd June 2016, 09:27 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	'Nother Maori Wahaika got this one really cheap. looks a bit crudely carved in places. nice human 'face' pommel, carved lanyard hole formed by the toungue protruding from it's mouth and looping back to it's chin. swirl pattern carved main blade, which tapers to a very sharp edge all around the almost circular part above the tiki, which is also a bit crude. wood colour is darker on one side than the other. fairly heavy at 474 grams, it's 44cm. long. suspect it's 'vintage' at best. possibly maori carved for someone's personal use in a friendly brawl or haka? (front view of face processed a bit to show detail) Attached Images

5th June 2016, 05:31 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THIS EXAMPLE HAS SEVERAL THINGS INCONSISTENT WITH MAORI WORK. IT APPEARS TO BE MADE OF MAHOGANY WHICH IS TOO LIGHT AND SOFT FOR THE DETAILED MAORI CARVING AND TOO LIGHT AND FRAGILE FOR A WEAPON. THE WAY THE CORD IS ATTACHED IS NOT TYPICAL MAORI AND THE CARVING LOOKS MORE INDONESIAN THAN MAORI. A INTERESTING ITEM BUT I AM GLAD YOU GOT IT CHEAP AS THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ITEM.

5th June 2016, 06:20 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	I agree with Vandoo. Could be from Bali, a popular tourist destination. Ian