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Lot 344: Waka Huia Attributed to Tene Waitere c.1853 - 1931, A Ngati Tarawhai Carver, Te Aroha, Rotorua

Est: $25,000 NZD - $45,000 NZDSold:
Webb’s – Specialist Auctioneers’Epsom, New ZealandJune 17, 2010

Item Overview

Description

Of ovoid shape, full stylised human tiki figures flanking each end. The base with spiral carving and paua inlay, lid with facial detail to each side, the top with kowhaiwhai carved design. Early 20th century, pre 1912. L480mm W170mm H230mm. Y6598.Tene Waitere was trained as a carver by Wero Taroi, a master carver of the highly influential Ngati Tarawhai school. Tene Waitere is thought to have worked on some of the last big carved canoes and established his reputation by working with Wero, Anaha Te Rahui and Neke Kapua. Waitere's great mana as a carver can be measured by the houses he carved including: The House of Rauru, in Germany, Tiki-o-Tamamutu, Kearoa, Nuku-teapiapi and; Tuhoromatakaka, Uenuku-kopako, Tiki, at Ohinemutu. At times challenging, Waitere's carving showed greater diversity than those of his contemporaries. Using Pakeha commissions to innovate and experiment, Waitere was able to extend his traditional practice beyond the orthodox by employing Western perspectives to produce highly naturalistic depictions and modern forms conceived to be housed specifically within Western architecture. This waka huia offers a number of influential styles such as the contemporary low relief carving on the top ridge and a strong modernist body which blends the kumeti shape with the traditional waka huia function to create a prestigious casket which enabled the work to be presented within the European whare of the day. Its function as a treasure box is without question and the integrity of the carving is apparent. However, it does sit outside orthodox waka huia practice in many ways. Strong deep lines define its overall physical form. Elongated and heavy set, the piece offers substantial presence both in scale and precision. The lower body of the casket offers a tightly executed maui (spiral) pattern featuring a double spiral of haehae (vee line cuts) and pakati in which the two elements make up the central spiral that deflect outward at tangents that repeat across the body suggesting oceanic wave movement. At either end the standing tiki, reminiscent of tradition kumeti form, gives support to the casket ensuring the body of the casket does not come in contact with the same structure that the feet rest on. A strong horizontal line is provided by haehae and dog tooth notching (niho taniwha) which is embellished with decorative paua detailing. The upper form of the casket offers a rather traditional layout with a central tiki head guarded by a complex manaia form. However, the top ridge line is carved in light relief, in innovation that Waitere developed. Tene Waitere ceased to carve for Pakeha in about 1912, and after this his work became strictly orthodox. Reference: Neich, Roger. 'Waitere, Tene 1853/1854? - 1931'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 22 June 2007 URL: www.dnzb.govt.nz. Rauru: Tene Waitere, Maori Carving, Colonial History by Nicholas Thomas (Editor), Mark Adams (Photographer) 2010.

Dimensions

L480mm W170mm H230mm.

Artist or Maker

Notes

Region: New Zealand Aotearoa

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer’s expense immediately after the sale except where a cheque remains uncleared. Webb's are unable to pack and arrange shipping. For national and international buyers our recommended shippers are Pack and Send +00 64 9 909 9099. It will be the responsibility of the buyer to contact the shippers to make arrangement for collection as soon as possible. If this is not done Webb’s will not be responsible if the lot is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to removal of any lot.

Auction Details

Oceanic & African Arts

by
Webb’s – Specialist Auctioneers’
June 17, 2010, 04:00 PM NZST

18 Manukau Road Newmarket, Epsom, Auckland, NZ

Terms

Buyer's Premium

18.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$499$50
$500$999$100
$1,000$4,999$250
$5,000$19,999$500
$20,000+$1,000

CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR BUYERS

1. BIDDING. The highest bidder shall be the purchaser subject to the auctioneer having the right to refuse the bid of any person. Should any dispute arise as to the bidding, the lot in dispute will be immediately put up for sale again at the preceding bid, or the auctioneer may declare the purchaser, which declaration shall be conclusive. No person shall advance less at a bid than the sum nominated by the auctioneer, and no bid may be retracted.
2. RESERVES. All lots are sold subject to the right of the seller or her/his agent to impose a reserve.
3. REGISTRATION. Purchasers are required to register before the sale giving their own correct name, address and telephone number. It is accepted by bidders that the supply of false information shall be interpreted as deliberate fraud.
4. BUYER’S PREMIUM. The purchaser accepts that in addition to the hammer or selling price Webb’s will apply a buyer’s premium of 15% for sales of Oceanic & African Art (unless otherwise stated), together with GST of 12.5% on such premiums.
5. PAYMENT. Payment for all items purchased is due on the day of sale immediately following completion of the sale.
If full payment cannot be made on the day of sale a deposit of 10% of the total sum due must be made on the day of sale and the balance must be paid within 5 working days.
Payment is by cash, bank (cashiers) cheque or Eftpos. Personal, private and bank cheques will be accepted but must be cleared before goods will be released. Credit cards are accepted however an additional charge of 2% for Visa and 4% for Amex will be incurred.
6. LOTS SOLD AS VIEWED. All lots are sold as viewed and with all errors in description, faults and imperfections whether visible or not. Neither Webb’s nor its vendor are responsible for errors in description or for the genuineness or authenticity of any lot or for any fault or defect in it. No warranty whatsoever is made. Buyers proceed upon their own judgement.
Buyers shall be deemed to have inspected the lots, or to have made enquiries to their complete satisfaction, prior to sale and by the act of bidding shall be deemed to be satisfied with the lots in all respects.
7. WEBB’S ACT AS AGENTS. They have full discretion to conduct all aspects of the sale and to withdraw any lot from the sale without giving any reason.
8. COLLECTION. Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer’s expense immediately after the sale except where a cheque remains uncleared. If this is not done Webb’s will not be responsible if the lot is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to removal of any lot.
9. LICENCES. Buyers who purchase an item which falls within the provisions of the Protected Objects Act 1975 or the Arms Act 1958 cannot take possession of that item until they have shown to Webb’s a license under the appropriate Act.
10. FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENT. If a purchaser fails either to pay for or take away any lot, Webb’s shall without further notice to the purchaser, at its absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it may have, be entitled to exercise one or more of the following rights or remedies:
A. To issue proceeding against the purchaser for damages for breach of contract.
B. To rescind the sale of that or any other lot sold to the purchaser at the same or any other auction.
C. To resell the lot by public or private sale. Any deficiency resulting from such resale, after giving credit to the purchaser for any part payment, together with all costs incurred in connection with the lot shall be paid to Webb’s by the purchaser. Any surplus over the proceeds of sale shall belong to the seller and in this condition the expression ‘proceeds of sale’ shall have the same meaning in relation to a sale by private treaty as it has in relation to a sale by auction.
D. To store the lot whether at Webb’s own premises or elsewhere at the sole expense of the purchaser and to release the lot only after the purchase price has been paid in full plus the accrued cost of removal storage and all other costs connected to the lot.
E. To charge interest on the purchase price at a rate 2% above Webb’s bankers’ then current rate for commercial overdraft facilities, to the extent that the price or any part of it remains unpaid for more than seven days from the date of the sale.
F. To retain possession of that or any other lot purchased by the purchaser at that or any other auction and to release the same only after payment of money due.
G. To apply the proceeds of sale of any lot then or subsequently due to the purchaser towards settlement of money due to Webb’s or its vendor. Webb’s shall be entitled to a possessory lien on any property of the purchaser for any purpose while any monies remain unpaid under this contract.
H. To apply any payment made by the purchaser to Webb’s towards any money owing to Webb’s in respect of any thing whatsoever irrespective of any directive given in respect of, or restriction placed upon, such payment by the purchaser whether expressed or implied.
I. Title and right of disposal of the goods shall not pass to the purchaser until payment has been made in full by cleared funds. Where any lot purchased is held by Webb’s pending i. clearance of funds by the purchaser or ii. completion of payment after receipt of a deposit, the lot will be held by Webb’s as bailee for the vendor, risk and title passing to the purchaser immediately upon notification of clearance of funds or upon completion of purchase. In the event that a lot is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed before title is transferred to the purchaser, the purchaser shall be entitled to a refund of all monies paid to Webb’s in respect of that lot, but shall not be entitled to any compensation for any consequent losses howsoever arising.
11. BIDDERS DEEMED PRINCIPALS. All bidders shall be held personally and solely liable for all obligations arising from any bid, including both ‘telephone’ and ‘absentee’ bids. Any person wishing to bid as agent for a third party must obtain written authority to do so from Webb’s prior to bidding.
12. ‘SUBJECT BIDS’. Where the highest bid is below the reserve and the auctioneer declares a sale to be ‘subject to vendor’s consent’ or words to that effect, the highest bid remains binding upon the bidder until the vendor accepts or rejects it. If the bid is accepted there is a contractual obligation upon the bidder to pay for the lot.
13. SALES POST AUCTION OR BY PRIVATE TREATY. The above conditions shall apply to all buyers of goods from Webb’s irrespective of the circumstances under which the sale is negotiated.
14. CONDITION OF ITEMS. Condition of items is not detailed in this catalogue. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to the condition of lots they bid on and should refer to clause six. Webb’s are pleased to provide intending buyers with condition reports on any lots.

Credit Cards

We accept credit cards for payment for any winning online bidders at all sales. We require credit card information to bid, and may use it for payment if you are the winning bidder.

CREDIT CARDS

Please note, credit cards are accepted however an additional charge of 2% for Visa and 4% for Amex will be incurred.

BUYER’S PREMIUM & TAXES

The purchaser accepts that in addition to the hammer or selling price Webb’s will apply a buyer’s premium of 15% for sales of Oceanic & African Art (unless otherwise stated), together with GST of 12.5% on such premiums.

PAYMENT

Payment is by cash, bank (cashiers) cheque or Eftpos. Personal, private and bank cheques will be accepted but must be cleared before goods will be released. Credit cards are accepted however an additional charge of 2% for Visa and 4% for Amex will be incurred.

CONDITION OF ITEMS

Condition of items is not detailed in this catalogue. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to the condition of lots they bid on and should refer to clause six. Webb’s are pleased to provide intending buyers with condition reports on any lots.

COLLECTION / SHIPPING

Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer’s expense immediately after the sale except where a cheque remains uncleared. Webb's are unable to pack and arrange shipping. For national and international buyers our recommended shippers are Pack and Send +00 64 9 909 9099. It will be the responsibility of the buyer to contact the shippers to make arrangement for collection as soon as possible. If this is not done Webb’s will not be responsible if the lot is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to removal of any lot.

ANTIQUITES ACT 1975

Please note lots 228 – 422 (excluding lots 293, 294, 295, 353, 387, 388, 390, 392, 394, 395, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421 and 422) are registered under the terms of the Antiquites Act 1975.
The registered items may only be purchased by a registered collector and no registered Maori artefact may leave the country.
Application forms as a collector are available at www.mch.govt.nz/protected-objects/index.html
Refer to Webb's Catalogue for further details.