Lot 37 , A Maori stone adze (Toki), 6in.

A Maori stone adze (Toki), found in the area known as Moana in Nelson, c.1950, 6in.
Estimate £300-500

Moana is a sheltered area on the hillside above and overlooking the beach at Tahunanui and would have been a place of natural Maori habitation prior to English colonisation. The Maoris at Nelson had no permanent place of habitation or settlements but lived on the hills overlooking the sea. While there are many such items from other areas within New Zealand such items from the Nelson area are extremely rare. The age of this piece is thought to be pre-european.

The adze is made from a grey stone similar to slate and has natural knaps and sort of chipped surfaces and a slight fault near the sharpened ends.
Provenance: The owner's father who lived in New Zealand discovered this whilst walking in a particular area c.1950's.


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Sold for £260