Marine Ivory Nguru Flute from New Zealand

Important nguru flute. This artefact is a marine ivory nguru given to Commander James Wood RN on one of his journeys to New Zealand between 1837 and 1843 the artefact comes to auction from the present owner who is a direct descendent of Commander Wood. Masterfully carved from a whale tooth, the nguru is consistent with the Northern carving styles and features refined design patterns of haehae and pakati (dog tooth patterned notching) A stylised lizard rests to the underside and delicate spiral design flanks the flutes blow hole the lizard figure is an intriguing feature about this item, in Maori mythology and carving the lizard is often used to invoke protection and was a feared figure and omen the nature of the artefact points to it being gifted by someone important in the Maori hierarchy. As officer in charge of the vessels hallmarked sterling buffalo and hallmarked sterling tortoise assigned to collect kauri timber for the Royal Navy, Commander wood had numerous encounters with the Maori Tribes in the Bay of Islands, coromandel Coast and great Barrier Island these encounters were believed to be mostly friendly. All of these trips are well documented, most notably the hallmarked sterling buffalo for suffering serious damages during a fierce gale that saw it wrecked on 28th July 1840 at mercury Bay. This artefact is a relic from these voyages and is believed to have come from one of the Iwi in the area most likely ngati hei. Undoubtedly a specimen of master craftsmanship, the materials used and figures depicted on this artefact also suggest that not only the person who gifted the nguru was of importance but the person receiving it was seen of equal importance in his book about the coromandel, New Zealand historian and author A.W Reed makes reference to the fact that the Commander of hallmarked sterling buffalo, James wood, was reputed to have married a 'Beautiful Maori woman.' This was possibly Materena Waitangi, a daughter of a respected Chief circa 1840. Length 4.33 in. Height 1.65 in. Diameter 1.34 in.

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Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
Calamander / Coromandel - Calamander wood, also known as coromandel wood or coromandel ebony, is a type of hardwood that comes from the Calamander tree (Diospyros quaesita), which is native to Sri Lanka, India, and Southeast Asia. The wood is known for its dark brown or black colour and its distinctive figuring, which can resemble a snakeskin pattern.

The wood is highly prized for its beauty and durability. It is often used in fine furniture making, particularly in the production of inlaid and marquetry work, as well as in the making of boxes, cabinets, and other decorative items. It is also used in the manufacture of flooring, paneling and other architectural applications.

Calamander wood is a very hard and heavy wood, it has a density of around 1.04 g/cm3. Its density and high natural oil content make it resistant to decay and insects, which is why it is a popular choice for outdoor furniture, flooring and other decorative items.

The wood is also used for turning and carving, but is difficult to work due to its high density and interlocking grain. However, it takes a high natural polish and has a beautiful lustre, which is why it is so sought after.

Due to the high demand and over-exploitation of the natural resources, the calamander tree is now a protected species, and the harvesting and export of the wood is heavily regulated.
Kauri - An evergreen conifer tree associated with New Zealand, but also grown in northern Australia, and islands around the Pacific rim including Borneo, Vanuatu and New Guinea. The timber is generally golden in colour, and straight grained without much knotting.

A by-product of the kauri tree was the kauri gum, the fossilised resin extracted from the tree. The gum was obtained through digging, fossicking in treetops, or more drastically, by bleeding live trees. Kauri gum was used in the manufacture of varnishes and other resin-based products, and also crafted into jewellery, keepsakes, and small decorative items.

Kauri forests were prolific in the north of the North Island of New Zealand. European settlers in the 1700 and 1800s realised that the timber from these tall trees with broad trunks would be ideal for ship building and construction and a thriving industry was established harvesting the kauri tree. The forests were substantially reduced, and now the remaining Kauri trees that grow in New Zealand are protected, and there are reserves in various areas of the North Island.

The remaining stands of kauri in New Zealand are under threat from "kauri disease", a microscopic organism that causes dieback in the trees, with vast tracts either dead or dying.
Ivory - Ivory is a hard white material that comes from the tusks of elephants, mammoth, walrus and boar, or from the teeth of hippopotamus and whales. The ivory from the African elephant is the most prized source of ivory. Although the mammoth is extinct, tusks are still being unearthed in Russia and offered for sale.

Ivory has been used since the earliest times as a material for sculpture of small items, both in Europe and the east, principally China and Japan.

In Asia ivory has been carved for netsuke, seals, okimono, card cases, fan supports, animals and other figures and even as carved tusks.

In the last 200 years in Europe ivory has been used to carve figures, for elaborate tankards, snuff boxes, cane handles, embroidery and sewing accessories, in jewellery and as inlay on furniture. Its more practical uses include being used for billiard balls, buttons, and a veneers on the top of piano keys.

The use and trade of elephant ivory have become controversial because they have contributed to Due to the decline in elephant populations because of the trade in ivory, the Asian elephant was placed on Appendix One of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in 1975, and in January 1990, the African elephant was similarly listed. Under Appendix One, international trade in Asian or African elephant ivory between member countries is forbidden. Unlike trade in elephant tusks, trade in mammoth tusks is legal.

Since the invention of plastics, there have been many attempts to create an artificial ivory

This item has been included into following indexes:

Maori artefacts
- flute 10
- manaia (figure) 434
- ornaments and adornments 377