| Native Name | Taiaha |
| Object Number | P2203 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand |
| Period | Te Huringa I Period |
| Date Made | 1800 - 1900 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood | Abalone |
| Description | A taiaha (long-handled fighting staff), made of one piece of wood. There is a pointed blade with deep, incised carvings resembling a head. The arero (tongue) is decorated with double spirals containing pākati (notching). Pāua (abalone) shell eyes. Most likely made with steel tools due to the depth of the carving. The taiaha is a long-handled fighting staff used to stab, parry, and strike. The distinctive blade is carved to resemble a head (upoko) with a tongue (arero) coming out of its mouth. This gesture of defiance in Māori culture is often represented in carvings. |
| Length | 196.5 cm |
| Width | 7 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911 |
| Other Number | 17037 - Dealer's Number |
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