'Nother Maori Wahaika

[kronckew]

got this one really cheap. looks a bit crudely carved in places. nice human 'face' pommel, carved lanyard hole formed by the toungue protruding from it's mouth and looping back to it's chin. swirl pattern carved main blade, which tapers to a very sharp edge all around the almost circular part above the tiki, which is also a bit crude. wood colour is darker on one side than the other. fairly heavy at 474 grams, it's 44cm. long. suspect it's 'vintage' at best. possibly maori carved for someone's personal use in a friendly brawl or haka?
(front view of face processed a bit to show detail)

[VANDOO]

THIS EXAMPLE HAS SEVERAL THINGS INCONSISTENT WITH MAORI WORK. IT APPEARS TO BE MADE OF MAHOGANY WHICH IS TOO LIGHT AND SOFT FOR THE DETAILED MAORI CARVING AND TOO LIGHT AND FRAGILE FOR A WEAPON. THE WAY THE CORD IS ATTACHED IS NOT TYPICAL MAORI AND THE CARVING LOOKS MORE INDONESIAN THAN MAORI. A INTERESTING ITEM BUT I AM GLAD YOU GOT IT CHEAP AS THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ITEM.

[Ian]

I agree with Vandoo. Could be from Bali, a popular tourist destination.

Ian