Description

Wakahuia treasure box

Wakahuia treasure box, also known as Feather Box, is used to store and protect precious items, such as huia feathers. These feathers were highly regarded due to their association with individuals of high status.

Derived from the Maori words “waka” (container or vessel) and “huia” (a now-extinct bird), the term “wakahuia” refers to the box’s purpose and the material it once held. These boxes were typically hand-carved from wood. And adorned with intricate carvings and inlays, often incorporating materials like Paua (abalone) shell. The top of the wakahuia usually featured decorative carvings, such as figures like the Tiki. The tiki symbolises good luck in Maori culture.

Info wakahuia:

Wakahuia became highly valued taonga (treasures) possessing both mana (prestige) and tapu (sacredness), qualities that they acquired by association with their owners. The taonga they held (pendants, combs, bird feathers, amulets) also acquired tapu through being worn on the body of their owners. Especially taonga worn on the head, the most tapu part of the body. This enhanced the overall prestige and value of these containers in Māori society. And as a result they became highly treasured family and tribal heirlooms.

These boxes were often ornately carved and sometimes adorned with feathers themselves. They served not only as practical storage for taonga (treasures) but also held deep spiritual and cultural significance. The Huia feathers that were kept in these boxes were symbolic of mana (prestige and authority), and the feathers were sometimes worn as part of ceremonial dress, signifying the wearer’s high status.

More info wakahuia:

• Materials: Traditionally made from wood. Often totara or other native New Zealand timbers, sometimes with inlays of bone or paua shell.
• Carvings: The box would be intricately carved with designs representing ancestors, nature, and other symbols of importance in Māori culture.
• Shape: Typically oval or cylindrical, and with a lid that would be used to seal the contents.
• Function: In addition to feathers, these boxes could hold other items of personal or ceremonial value.Like tools, carved ornaments, or even human hair (especially in cases of high-ranking individuals).

The Wakahuia is not only a beautiful example of Māori craftsmanship. But also a deeply cultural object that reflects the spiritual, social, and environmental ties of the Māori people to the land and their heritage.

Our wakahuia comes with the tiki design, koru design and paua inlay.
Beautiful gift for someones ‘treasures’.

Size: wakahuia: 21cm x 10cm x 9cm (8.27″x3.94″x3.54″)

Huia bird

Even though the huia bird is extinct, we feature the Metalbird huia silhouette on our site >>