Maori Walking Stick with Janus-Faced Figure and Inlaid Eyes
An interesting and notable 19th century Maori carved walking stick originally owned by the colonial sawmiller James Robson, husband of Mere Ngamai (ii) A close relation of the famous chief Te Wharepouri, and by descent to the estate of our vendor. Unusually the stick incorporates a Janus faced figure with one face carved naturalistically and the verso with a koruru mask, both with inlaid eyes, the figure stands partially draped in a cloak holding a bone patu (faulted). The figure is surmounted by an inverse baluster knob fitted with a silver metal collar with engraved monogram 'JR'. The tapering shaft incised with simplified mangopare kowhaiwhai. A single tuft of muka bound dog's hair from another artefact fixed with cordage at the handle. Length 35.43 in.
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- Verso - Verso is the "back" side of a sheet of paper, art work, coin or medal. The front side is "recto".
- Incised - A record of a name, date or inscription, or a decoration scratched into a surface, usually of a glass or ceramic item with a blunt instrument to make a coarse indentation. Compare with engraving where the surface is cut with a sharp instrument such as a metal needle or rotating tool to achieve a fine indentation.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- Maori artefacts
