• Maori wakahuia jewellery treasure box carved in New Zealand and available from Silver Fern Gallery
  • showing removable lid of Maori wakahuia jewellery treasure box carved in New Zealand and available from Silver Fern Gallery
  • showing lid and inside of Maori wakahuia jewellery treasure box carved in New Zealand and available from Silver Fern Gallery
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silverferngallery

Carved Wakahuia (pakati) by Wood Masters

$990.00 NZD
$990.00 NZD
Sale Sold
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Carved in New Zealand from hardwood

37cm x 14cm x 9cm

Waka huia and papa hou are treasure containers for storing prized personal possessions, such as hei tiki, feathers for decorating the hair, and other items of personal adornment. Waka huia and papa hou were imbued with the tapu (taboo) of their owners because they contained personal items that regularly came into contact with the body, particularly the head (the most tapu part of the body).

Both waka huia and papa hou were highly prized in themselves and carefully treasured as they passed between generations. As taonga they were often gifted to acknowledge relationships, friendships, and other significant social events.