NZ Maori connection treen rack mystery

[Atlantia]

David,

Thanks mate, appreciate your help. It's a strange thing isn't it?
As for hacking it.... I'm thinking twice, it's really growing on me as-is!
I think it'll make a cracking shelf for odds 'n' bobs
Very heavily waxed, lovely patination.
The monogram is odd, C.H with two extra bars that don't seem to be connected. You think it's another H?

Gav,

Good point about the snakes!
If we could definately ID the use it might help. The holes are just big enough for your little finger.
Must be pipes, surely?
If it wasn't that nobody considered smoking unhealthy back then I'd think that the snakes represented temptation and the motto was to stay strong while abstaining?

Here's a better pic:

Thanks guys