Maori Treasure Box, New Zealand

Kenneth A. Webster, London
George Ortiz, Geneva
Sotheby's, London, July 8, 1974, lot 73, consigned by the above
Norman Marshall, London, acquired at the above auction
Christie's, London, July 3, 1990, lot 131
Myron Kunin, Minneapolis, acquired at the above auction

Charles W. Mack, Polynesian Art at Auction, 1965-1980, Northboro, 1982, p. 149, fig. 5

Very good condition for an object of this age and rare type. Minor marks, nicks, scratches, and abrasions consistent with age and use. Undersides of feet with wear and rubbing. Encrustation to mother-of-pearl inlay. Old loss to outermost toe on proper left foot. Exceptionally fine reddish medium brown patina.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This fine Maori treasure box is of a rare type known in only a handful of examples, consisting of a fully-realized figure holding a small lidded receptacle.  Combining the powerful style of Maori figure sculpture with the inventive and ornate architecture of Maori treasure boxes, these figures exemplify the range of Maori sculptural creativity.  The Kunin Maori treasure box, previously in the collections of Kenneth Webster and later George Ortiz, is distinguished as the finest known example of the type.

Comparable boxes, varying mainly in the design of the lid, are in several early collections: one entered the collections of what is now known as the National Museums of Scotland, in Edinburgh, in 1862 (Hamilton, 1896, pl. LXII, fig. 3-5 and Wardwell 1967 no. 118, erroneously listed as Museum of Primitive Art in some sources), featuring a non-figurative lid; one was previously in the collection of William O. Oldman, and before that in the Belsham Collection (circa 1846; Memoires of the Polynesian Society, vol. 14, pl. 35, n° 171); another previously in the Fuller Collection is today in the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago (Force and Force 1971: 35).  A further example was sold at Sotheby's, Paris, December 12, 2012, lot 21.

According to Hamilton (1896, pl. LXII, nos. 3-5), these boxes were used to keep shark teeth or small nephrite ear ornaments.  Hamilton (1896: 426) also notes a contradictory suggestion made by the 19th century Botanist and Missionary William Colenso (1811-1899), who "had a fine specimen of the same kind [as the Edinburgh example, presumably also with box in front of figure], which, he informed me, was used to contain tinder or punk used for kindling the ahi-taitai or sacred fire; or for carrying smouldering tinder to re-light the chief's fire." As the Celenso example has not been traced, it is possible that it is one and the same as the present box, as we do not have documentation of when and how Kenneth Webster acquired it.

From the very limited number of these boxes, as well as their strong stylistic relationship - especially in the head of the figure - it can be surmised that they all share a common origin, which has been suggested as the western coast of the North Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand). By comparison with the examples of documented early collecting date in institutional collections, as well as the evidence of its deep patina and signs of wear from ritual handling, the date of the Kunin Maori box can be estimated between the late 18th century and the first half of the 19th century.