Set Reminder2025-04-04 03:00:002025-04-12 07:00:00America/New_YorkBidsquareBidsquare : Fine Arts, Antiques and Jewelry Online Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/aspire-auctions/fine-arts-antiques-and-jewelry-online-auction-19205 Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941)Aspire Auctions katya@aspireauctions.com
A finely hand-carved Maori Toki Pou Tangata, a ceremonial stone adze traditionally held by chiefs (rangatira) or priests (tohunga) as a symbol of leadership and spiritual authority. The highly decorative handle is adorned with intricate whakairo (Maori carving), featuring ancestral figures, spirals, and geometric patterns.
The stone blade, traditionally made basalt, is carefully lashed with fiber bindings, showcasing the craftsmanship of Maori artisans. These ceremonial adzes were not functional tools, but rather symbols of prestige, often carried during important gatherings and rituals.