Staff

P2204

From: New Zealand

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Native Name Taiaha
Object Number P2204
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Maori
Provenience New Zealand
Period Te Huringa I Period
Date Made 1800 - 1900 CE
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood
Description

A taiaha (long-handled fighting staff), made of one piece of wood. There is a pointed blade carved to resemble a head. The arero (tongue) is undecorated, and the eyes are carved.

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 is a gesture of defiance in Māori culture and is often found represented in carvings.

Length 186 cm
Width 8.5 cm
Credit Line Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911
Other Number 11449 - Dealer's Number

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