Maori Head, New Zealand

Maori Head
New Zealand
upoko whakairo

Height: 8 ⅞ in (22.5 cm)

Condition Report:
Very good condition overall. Marks, nicks, chips, scratches, and abrasions throughout. Some hairline age cracks to the underside of the neck and one to the top of the head. Some tool marks in places in the uncarved areas, including under the chin. A few scattered losses to the carved areas. A very thin stable hairline crack to the underside of the chin. Old varnish applied to the surface, scuffed in places, including to the shell inlay of the eyes. The shell eyes with some small losses, and a crack to the proper left eye; varnish scraped away in places revealing the iridescent shell.

Provenance:
Fenton and Sons, "The Old Curiosity Shop", London
Harry G. Beasley, Chislehurst, acquired from the above in 1919 (inv. no. 29-3 1098)
Irene M. Beasley, Brighton, by descent from the above
Merton D. Simpson, New York, acquired from the above in 1964
Mark Eglinton, New York, acquired from the above
Abraham Rosman and Paula Rubel, New York, acquired from the above in 2007