The famous tattooed and preserved head of a Maori warrior.
The Rouen Museum of Natural History in France formally returned this artifact to the delegation of elders, New Zealand Embassy officials and representatives from Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum.
This is the culmination of years of legal wrangling in France. The head, a sacred cultural object to the Maori, was originally preserved as a reminder of a victory in battle. The tattoos indicate high rank and the heads of elaborately-tattooed warriors would be kept as prized objects by the winners.
You can read more about this artifact here
Source: thehistoryblog.com
Moai at Rano Raraku, Easter Island.
Photo courtesy Aurbina
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Tongan necklace, the figurative composition of this adornment is extremely rare, it carries eight figures and nine other pendants, all pierced for suspension and bound by sennit cord.
This Oceanic work of art, crafted from bone for a person of high standing. Believed to be female goddess effigies, these sacred figurines have at times been accorded to high ranking Tongan women such as the Mehekitanga, an important family relation in Tongan culture, or the Tamaha, the niece to the King of Tonga through his sister.
Source: webbs.co.nz
Maori carving.
Courtesy & currently located at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand
Source: sammysscripts.blogspot.co.nz
Maori carving from the Meeting house, Waitangi, where in which the Treaty of Waitangi between Māori chiefs of New Zealand and the British Crown was first signed on 6 February 1840.
Source: Flickr / m-dnw
Interior of the wharenui, the Maori meeting house, Auckland Museum, New Zealand.
Source: bobandnellasworld.com
Ancient Maori Tamaki Paenga Hira, currently located at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand.
Ancient Maori wooden tiki
Taken at Auckland Museum: A trio of pau (carvings), 1500 CE
Each represent 3 local Maori tribes: Ngati Whatua, Ngati Paoa, and Tainui
