Lot #40 - Rare Whalebone God Stick
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Auction House:Webb's
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Sale Name:Oceanic and African Art
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Sale Date:26 Sep 2012 ~ 6pm (NZ time)
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Lot #:40
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Lot Description:Rare Whalebone God Stick
Carved whalebone cylindrical shaft culminating in carved human head to top. Wheku (carved face) with protruding tongue, large projecting brows, elongated nose and paua shell inset eyes. Pataki notching (dog tooth pattern) on top of brow and pakura detail surrounds mouth. The whakapakoko rākau or god stick was often placed into the ground as a temporary shrine for an atua (deity) by tohunga ahurewa (priestly experts). God sticks were thought to be used by tohunga to channel the power of a particular deity.
L.245mm, W.25mm. -
Estimate:NZ$800 - 1,200
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Realised Price:
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Category:Tribal
This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.
