Cleveland Museum of Art

Treasure Box (Wakahuia)

Date

1800s

Medium

wood with abalone shell

Culture

Polynesia, New Zealand, Maori people, 19th century

Department

Oceania

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Decorated with low-relief spiral designs and small carved figures at each end, the treasure box was used to store ornaments worn by chiefs: feathers of the huia bird, combs, and pendants (hei-tiki). Because the heads and necks of high-ranking Maori chiefs were tapu, or sacred, their personal adornments were dangerous to children or individuals of lower rank. Treasure boxes were therefore hung from the rafters of the chief's house. Boxes like this one were in use when Captain Cook visited New Zealand in 1769-70.

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