MAORI ANTIQUES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 76, 27 September 1927, Page 4

MAORI ANTIQUES

SALE IN LONDON

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, 15th July.

Among a collection of native implements sold at Messrs Sothcby and Co.'s rooms were a number of Maorr antiques, the best of which brought really good prices. The collection'was' originally formod by the late Sir. John Eyans, and afterwards became the property of Sir Arthur Evans, F.R.S., of Youlbury, •Berkshire. .

The principal Maori curio was an adze, of dark greenstone, set in an elaborately-carved wooden handlo 17$ inches long. The decoration at 'the end of Jthe handle, where tho stone is attached was in tho form of a grotesque human figure. For this, £102 was paid. Another adze, of unusually,light greenstone, of beautiful colour, 9inlong, without handle, was; sold{for £32. •On one face at the sides were' a number of fine notches probably recording ','tho number of people killed by means of tho weapon. Still another adzo, of broader form, of dark: greenstone, and Ilia long, sold for £53.

Among the meres disposed of was ono of rich daTk greenstono with narrow blade measuring 18in. This was disposed of for £30. Another' of broader type, in mottled greenstone, 14} in long, realised £31. .'

Tlio best tiki was 6in. long,, in "mottled greenstone, with inlaid pearl eyes. This" brought £72. .A similar ono not quite ao large, but with the original bone toggle attached,' was-sold for £70. Another, of old work, of good colour with inlaid eyes and 4iin long, brought £64.

Other Maori articles disposed of 1 included a patoo patoo, 122 in long, ££)• a fine whalebone mere, £9.105; a greenstone chisel and a curious grconstono oval knife, £15 10s; a New Zealand ehani of wood; ,carved the entire length, £24; a bone mere of curved form with a figure at the back, 13in long, and another mere, 13Jin long,