A Maori tewhatewha fighting staff attributed to Patoromu Tamatea New Zealand wood with carved...

A Maori tewhatewha fighting staff attributed to Patoromu Tamatea

New Zealand

wood with carved scroll and notched decoration, with an eliptical tapering shaft, 2nd half 19th century,

150.5cm long.

Provenance

Bonhams, UK

Patoromu Tamatea was a prominent and prolific master carver around Lake Rotoiti in 1850 - 1870 and carved various works including model canoes, paddles, house gable boards, wall slabs and was also reported to have tattooed women. (Neich, 2001: p.245.)

cf. Bonhams, New York, African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art, 14 Nov 2013, lot 76 for a similar staff.