Feather Box

Wooden box for storing huia feathers and small ornaments. Rectangular. Human figures with inlaid shell eyes as handles on short sides. Surface decoration consisting of dog-tooth notches and parallel ridges (rauponga). Late 19th century Arawa. Rectangular lid (B). Purchased at auction from J. C. Stevens, London, on April 16, 1912. The catalogue description reads as follows: "Wakahuia, a carved box for ornaments and tail feathers of the Huia bird literally a jewel box, 18 1/2 in. in length. The handles comprise two figures in high relief, there are two heads on the lid. This box was brought from New Zealand to England in H.M.S. Alligator in 1834; of unusual and quaint design."