Mythical God Stick: Whakapakoko Atua
Rare Whakapakoko Atua - God stick wooden staff; light-brown weathered patina; mythological figure carved to top believed to represent a god, possibly of agriculture or war. Deeply carved, round eyes with missing paua shell and plain shaft with pierced hole for peg attachment. These sticks were often located near gardens and were also used as protective talismans. Length 10.43 in. Width 1.97 in.
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- Patination / Patina - In broad terms, patination refers to the exterior surface appearance of the timber, the effect of fading caused by exposure to sunlight and air over the course of a century or more, changing the piece to a soft, mellow colour.
As patina is very difficult to replicate, it is one of the most important guides to determining the age of furniture.
Patina is also the term applied to the bloom or film found on old bronzes due to oxidisation.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- Maori artefacts
