Oceania, New Zealand, Maori people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand carved wooden tokotokoe with beautiful carvings across the surface and an inlay of nacre shells in the finial and just above the smooth tip. A tokotoko is a traditional Maori staff used by an highly respected leader or orator as a symbol of authority and status. Carved along its full length, aside from its bottom tip, with intricate whakairo patterns. The deep carving and notching, known as pakati, is characteristic of Maori art. The staff can be a representation of family lineage and power- thus the owner's authority or right to speak. Size: 37.75" L x 3" W (95.9 cm x 7.6 cm)

Maori wood carving is an incredible art form, its practitioners rightly recognized as masters. Their woodcarving tradition lasted in many areas into the later nineteenth century despite colonization and missionaries. Carving schools in several areas of the country kept the Maori tradition alive. Carvers used local trees, and a prayer known as a karakia would be said prior to cutting them down, thus showing respect for the forest. Massive wooden architectural elements, such as those still preserved at Whakarewarewa, reflect similar carved elements to those on this stick. Indeed, the tokotoko is designed to have motifs associated with the Wharenui, or meeting house in a community. The Kaumatua in the family - an older person who is the keeper of knowledge and passes it on orally - may hold the tokotoko while speaking with the people gathered in the Wharenui for a Hui (gathering).

Provenance: Private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired from Morning Star Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in 2000

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#177414

Minor surface nicks and chips to wood. Nice patina and light wear to tip. Excellent condition overall.