Tribal Maori interest. A late 19th Century Taiaha - or Maori long staff spear - the head having Pau shell inlay, double tiki and a mantle of feathers and hair, length 187cm, It was originally a ceremonial item with possible further use as a weapon and a paddle.
Condition:? this is an exceptional example with the feathers and hair in original condition.
Provenance: the vendor's great uncle, Dean Boult, was stationed in New Zealand with the Merchant Navy before WWII and returned with this in 1938/9, vendor has details of the ship upon which he sailed. The item has been in the vendor's family ever since.