Calabash Neck

18141

From: New Zealand | North Island | Bay of Plenty Region | Rotorua | Ohinemutu

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Native Name Tuki
Object Number 18141
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Maori
Provenience New Zealand | North Island | Bay of Plenty Region | Rotorua | Ohinemutu
Period Te Huringa I Period
Date Made 1800 - 1900 CE
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood | New Zealand Flax
Description

A tuki (mouthpiece for calabash) with a carved pākati (overlapping triangular notches) pattern around the body of the neck. The neck has a flaring rim and remnants of muka (processed New Zealand flax) on one side.

A tuki is the mouthpiece for a taha huahua (calabash), which is a vessel made for holding food, typically preserved birds. A bird would be cooked and preserved in their own fat in the taha huahua. The calabashes would often be decorated and were brought out during feasts.

Height 9.3 cm
Outside Diameter 13.6 cm
Credit Line Gift of William Pepper, 1891

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