A Superb Maori Smoking Pipe Attributed to the Maori Master Carver Patoromu Tamatea Circa 1850 died 1890

A Superb Maori Smoking Pipe Attributed to the Maori Master Carver Patoromu Tamatea Circa 1850 to 1890

This beautifully carved Maori Smoking Pipe is a great sculpture, carved in the form of an ancestor figure which is similar the the Maori ” acrobat figures ” sometimes found on the finials of 19th Paddles where the figures are depicted in impossible human positions;  this pipe has the shoulders and arms evolving out of the head with the hands on the mouth, the legs positioned below but there is no torso or body.  It is a playful carving but also a constant reminder of the ancestors made visible on daily use objects.

Patoromu Tamatea Of Ngati Tamateatutahi, a sub tribe of Ngati Pikiao. He was a distinguished carver and built several canoes at Kopuatepa at Rotoiti. He worked at cultivations at Onepoto, Manututu, and Ngakokako, where he and others built a canoe called Te Ahikaka. Work ceased at Ngakokako in 1864 when the Tairawhiti army arrived and most of the people returned to Rotoiti.

Patoromu was involved in settling a dispute over pigs at Wairere at Tokerau on the north shore of Lake Rotoiti.

Many of Patoromu Tamatea carved figures, weapons, lidded bowls, boxes, walking sticks, and tobacco pipes are now in Auckland Museum and the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa. (Information from Roger Neich, Auckland Institute and Museum)

This is one of my favorite artworks.

Provenance: Old Collection Australia. The Todd Barlin Collection of Maori & Polynesian Art 

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us