Oceania, New Zealand, Maori, ca. 19th century CE. An incredible hand-carved wooden implement that acted as a footrest or step for a digging spade known as a teka, with discoidal nacre shell inlays. This teka is elaborate with a humanoid tiki figure head set into the front, with a handle-like neck and body protruding along the underside of the flattened step plinth. The surface is deeply incised with notches and curvilinear shapes, these carvings distinguish and identify the tribe that the step belonged to - which were usually simple, whereas this is a beautifully detailed example! The word "tiki" means carved human figure, possibly originating from the myth of Tiki, the first man. The use of the teka step corresponds to origin stories and the god's blessings. Size: 10" L x 3" W x 3.75" H (25.4 cm x 7.6 cm x 9.5 cm)

Turning the soil before planting was a ritualistic event - Rongo and Pani, the gods of agriculture, must bless the land before any sowing. The digging tool known as a "ko" was a paddle shaped shovel, adorned with this ceremonial step hafted partway up the shaft as a leverage aid for the digger. A priest would recite prayers while breaking the first ground with this special ko. The teka was used like a shovel step - the person would press his foot into the flat surface of the teka. After a few ceremonial digs, the rest of the field was then dug by laborers with plain ko spades. The teka was removed from the ceremonial ko and set in a repository until the next planting.

Provenance: private Monroe, Connecticut, USA collection, acquired September 2021; ex-Humpal collection, Geronimo Traders, Cornish, New Hampshire, USA, acquired 2015; ex-Havaski Oceanic and Tribal Arts, Hanalei, Hawaii, USA, acquired before 2012; ex-private New Zealand collection, between 2005 to 2010

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#173221

Surface abrasions as expected with age and use and stable pressure fissures. Minor nicks to high pointed dares, otherwise intact and great condition. Dark patina throughout.