Waka Huia, D44.452

Fat canoe shaped box with domed lid forming total cross-section nearly round, 1/3 lid, 2/3 box. Lid hollow with decoration of rauru double spiral in centre and strap motif running diagonally away from a centre line towards each end. Lid has vertical tongue at one end and vertical drill holes at each end. Lid has small hole running on angle through lid above lip, another small chip missing just past midway point (same side) and large rectangular chip missing from lip on opposite side of lid. One end of lid has nail placed in drilled hole which fits into slot in box.

Box decoration identical to that on lid. Female figures on each end with high relief bodies on box and projection heads forming knobs. One head is laterally drilled and the other has bright orange paint in the eyes and above tongue in mouth. Notch and groove arrangement at one end for securing closure with metal nail at opposite end flitting into slot behind head. Seems like natural knot has dislodged from wall of box at one end.

?Locality: East Cape

?Locality: Bay of Plenty