Lot 341

Maori Bone Dagger (Hoeroa) | Olana Beaded Wrist Sling, ex-Komor

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 341
image_0 image_1 image_2
Maori Bone Dagger (Hoeroa) | Olana Beaded Wrist Sling, ex-Komor
Maori Bone Dagger (Hoeroa) | Olana Beaded Wrist Sling, ex-Komor
image_0 image_1 image_2

Maori Bone Dagger (Hoeroa) | Olana Beaded Wrist Sling, ex-Komor

Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000

Starting Bid: $5,000

(0 Bids)
June 12, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
Louisville, CO, US
Description:

New Zealand, ca. 19th century. New Zealand, 19th Century CE. An instrument of both war and rank, the hoeroa — carved from a single length of sperm whale bone — occupied a singular place in Māori material culture: too precious for common use, too powerful to be merely decorative. This exceptional example is carved along its full length in the fluid, interlocking koru spiral tradition, the curvilinear patterns flowing seamlessly from a stylized ancestral face at the crown — its eye inlaid with iridescent paua shell, hallmark of high-status carving — to the tapered point below. The warm ivory patina, deeply saturated from age and handling, and the assured confidence of the carving confirm a 19th-century date and the hand of an accomplished tohunga whakairo; the original braided olana wrist sling survives intact, a rare retention that speaks to the object's careful preservation. Size: 13”L x 1”W (33 x 2.5cm).

Provenance: Ex. Frieda and Milton Rosenthal, NY; ex. Mathias Komor, NY (rev. no. 1816); ex. Weber Collection, England, 1898.

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 71778

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000