Maori Treasure Box, New Zealand

Maori Treasure Box, New Zealand
length 12 1/2in (31.5cm)

Provenance
Richard I.M. Kelton Collection, Marina del Rey, California

Finely carved, most likely by stone, with incised linear and curvilinear designs throughout the outer surface, arched janus tiki-head handles on the ends, the top with tiki heads carved at each corner (one with an inlaid paua shell in the left eye), the rectangular lid inlaid with three circular paua shells (one now missing), the bottom with two inlaid circular paua shells; an indigenous repair to a long fracture on one long side; unpolished dark-brown patina with ochre pigment encrustations.