Description:

New Zealand, Maori, ca. last quarter 20th century CE. Signed Ropata on the handle beneath the finial. Finely carved from a beautiful grained hardwood, then smoothed and polished, a Wahaika (Meremere) or short combat weapon with a carved zoomorphic figure on the body and bird head at the terminal of the handle - both animals are skillfully delineated and possess inlaid paua shell eyes on both sides. These creatures were intended to protect the warrior if he should be attached from behind. A special example, presenting nice knapped marks from the hand-carving, beautiful iridescent paua shell inlays, and a nice braided raffia suspension loop threaded through the handle. Size: 17.375" H (44.1 cm); 17.625" H (44.8 cm) on included custom stand.

The Ropata inscription may refer to Ropata of Ngati-Porou. According to Elsdon Besto f Tuhoe-land's "Notes on the Art of War, as conducted by the Maori of New Zealand …" , "The famous Ropata of Ngati-Porou was but a sub-chief, yet he achieved great fame by his skill in fighting. It was he who caused the turbulent Urewera and the savage Ngati-Huri, ever bitterly hostile to the pakeha (Europeans), to hide in caves and remote gullies of their rugged country." - http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document//Volume_11_1902/Volume_11%2C_No._4/Notes_on_the_art_of_war_as_conducted_by_the_Maori_of_New_Zealand%2C_with_accounts_of_various_customs%2C_rites%2C_superstitions..._by_Elsdon_Best%2C_p_219-246/p1

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#141021

  • Condition: Intact and excellent. Nicely preserved hand-carved details and paua shell inlays.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 9, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000