Carved, lidded box. Dark brown thin and oblong box, with heads emerging at both ends serving as handles. Bottom portion of box (part a) has a thick base, with shallowly carved interior dish. Exterior is heavily carved with intricate faces and curved lines, with inset circles of iridescent shell for eyes. Two holes are carved into the rim of the box into which fit corresponding squares of wood emerging from the lid (part b). Lid is similar in shape to bottom portion, with a shallow interior, and heavy intricate exterior carvings. A wide face sits at either end with the same iridescent shell for eyes.

• Narrative

  The donor lived in Wellington, New Zealand from 1976-78.

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• Type of Item box
• Culture Maori
• Material wood, shell
• Measurements height 7.5 cm, width 37.0 cm, depth 9.5 cm (part a) height 6.5 cm, width 25.0 cm, depth 9.5 cm (part b)

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• Creator Charlie Iotua Tuarau
• Previous Owner Robert Durie
• Received from Robert Durie

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• Made in New Zealand

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• Creation Date during 1977
• Collection Date during 1977
• Ownership Date before June 16, 2017
• Acquisition Date on June 16, 2017

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• Condition excellent
• Accession Number 3247/0001 a-b