PRECIOUS RELICS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 29 September 1927, Page 6

PRECIOUS RELICS

OF HISTORICAL VALUE MAORI ART AND CURIOSITIES. FOR OTAGO MUSEUM. Dunedin, Sept. 26. Mr. H. D. Skinner, curator of the Otago Museum, who is studying in America, took a holiday for the purpose of visting England, and whilst there he purchased for Otago Universiy Museum a number of ancient articles of art of historical value wherewith to strengthen the Pacific Islands Department of the Dunedin collection. These things were discovered in various places in the Old Country. The whole consignment is not yet sorted for display, but Professor Benham has had some of the things prepared and put into show cases. The Maori articles are of rare kind. Prominent in that section is a canoe paddle with an undulating handle, the tip of which is wonderfully carved in representation of the human face. This paddle has been perfectly preserved, and not a flaw is to be found. It stands for rank in Maori art. Two feather boxes also claim attention for beauty and appearance of freshness. The minute spiral carving on the larger is amazing when one remembers that it was done with stone tools and by freehand. The carving on the smaller one follows a linear arrangment not so common in Maori work. Its authenticity is attested by the statement that it was taken from New Zealand by Admiral Lampiere, of the French Navy, who is said to have got it at Akaroa. Both of these feather boxes were bought in London. A patu (a one-hand weapon), though quite simply' fashioned, somewhat on the shape of the human body, with crude face, is no doubt of very ancient origin, since there is hardly any decorative carving upon it. The remaining Maori relic amongst those now shown is a whalebone mere that carries marks of age, though no! at all broken. Also from Mr. Skinner comes a sample of Cook Island curios. These include a queer kind of ceremonial adze, beautifully carved. The handle is covered with woven sinnet, so firie that ladies of the present day would be proud to show off as their handiwork. A food bowl, another article from the same quarter, is most elaborately carved in bands of alternating zigzag and diamond design.