Description
Title: Whakairo Tū Taua 2023
Artist: Noel McAllister
Iwi: Tapuika
Description: Contemporary Māori Weapons (made for display only)
Materials: Pūriri, Tōtara, Black Walnut, iron, resin, feathers, cord
Design:
Kakauroa – Long axe carved with black Walnut and decorated with the Pākati pattern
Noel has wanted to carve this piece since he first held the kakauroa of the chief Rangihauhiri from Opotiki, held at Tauranga museum. The kakauroa was uplifted after the battle of Kaokaoroa, where Rangihauhiri was killed by government troops.
The rākau used for this is black Walnut which came from Noel’s marae. The steel axe head was imported from England and carries the authentic stamps of a British steelmaker and was gifted to Noel. His tūpuna adapted quickly to new forms of weaponry and materials, the kakauroa is an example of this. It wasn’t uncommon for a kakauroa to have a bent handle. As Noel was carving this kakauroa hefollowed the shape of the rākau. The notches are inspired by the Niho Taniwha pattern.
Tewhatewha – Repurposed Pūriri and Tōtara carved with the Raperape Kōwhaiwhai pattern
Carved in Pūriri with a Tōtara insert. Traditionally, Pūriri was a rākau used for weapons beacuse it’s very heavy and hard. The tewhatewha was used by the person directing the battle as a signalling weapon, for giving instructions with. However in modern times, kaikorero use tewhatewha and other weapons in the art of oratory.
The Pūriri moth lives in the Pūriri tree burrowing a 120-150 mm long tunnel inside the trunk of the tree. Noel has left these holes in the tewhatewha and other works, preferring to fill them with resin to show the life of this insect as part of the whakapapa of the tree. The thickness of his tewhatewha is based on his observations of taonga tawhito in museums. The whakarei used on this tewhatewha is a kōiri carved with the Raperape pattern. The kōiri comes from the vines in the forest that intertwine and weave the forest together. This is used to show connections, whānau and friends. The Raperape comes from the shape of the ripples created when you throw a stone into the water. This represents eternity.
Weight: Kakauroa – 2.5kg, Tewhatewha – 2kg
Dimensions: Kakauroa – 1265 X 150 X 30 mm, Tewhatewha – 1240 X 180 X 25 mm
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