This hand-carved wood treasure box captures the striking visual style of traditional Maori Art. Designed as a replica of a classic waka huia or papahou, it provides an exquisite storage for your treasured items or fine personal keepsakes. Measuring approximately 200mm (L) × 120mm (W) × 110mm (H).
Historically, waka huia and papahou served as sacred treasure boxes designed to store highly prized personal adornments, such as pounamu pendants, whalebone carvings, and the rare tail feathers of the sacred huia bird. In Māori culture, items worn close to the head absorbed the wearer's mana (spiritual prestige) and became tapu (sacred or restricted), requiring these vessels to safely isolate them from everyday contact. Rather than acting as mere decoration, the wheku (ancestral face) carved onto the lid serves as a tiaki (guardian), spiritually watching over and protecting the highly valued taonga (treasures) kept secure within.
