Tribal Artefacts & New Zealand Historical
Maori and Pacific artefacts are especially in demand. Cordy’s team of in-house experts can assist you in maximising the best results for rare and special pieces as well as complete collections. We have a combined expertise of over 70 years handling many of the best collections and single pieces ever to come to the market. Additionally, New Zealand historical items such as ephemera and photography are keenly sought after. New Zealand’s relatively short history sees pieces which relate to our growing nation being sought by institutions and private collectors who form our client base.
A Rare and historical New Zealand Adolph Kohn Auckland 1908.Silver 'Great White Fleet' presentation casket and document,
presentation engraved 'To Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry, Commanding the American Fleet. From Auckland Harbour Board, Auckland N.Z. Aug. 10th. 1908'. Mounted in jade and gold with accompanying William Seuffert-made marquetry boarded cover illuminated document. The rectangular casket raised on fern feet, the front mounted with two pounamu hei tiki with sealing wax eyes, two kiwis in gold, and a rangatira (chief) Ngapuhi chief Tamati Waka Nene (1780s – 4 August 1871) enclosed by the words in gold ‘NAUMAI KI AKARANA’ (Welcome to Auckland). The sides with lion mask and ring handles, the hinged cover mounted with a beveled pounamu panel topped by a gold bar, flanked by ferns and with presentation inscription to Charles S. Sperry. The back exquisitely engraved with a view of the port of Auckland, quilted lining. The lid twice with maker's mark A.KOHN, AUCKLAND, and Sterling Silver. 200 x 155 x 140mm. The casket housed in a velvet lined burr totara box, probably by William Seuffert with two A. Kohn labels. Together with an illuminated address housed in a William Seuffert inlaid wooden boarded cover. The illuminated address forming a long welcome from the people of Auckland to Admiral Charles S. Sperry commanding the American fleet, in gilt-tooled leather frame. The front panel with marquetry of multiple local woods, including images of kōwhai, manuka myrtle, and lacebark flowers, and applied with a gold American eagle and a gold presentation plaque engraved 'Rear Admiral C.S. Sperry, Souvenir from The Citizens of Auckland on the occasion of the Visit of the American Fleet to New Zealand 1908'. Marked 15K, A. KOHN and AUCKLAND. A silver plaque above with an engraved view of Auckland harbour including boats and Rangitoto, marked AKOHN and AUCKLAND, at the base a silver and gold medallion with the New Zealand flag surrounded by the words ‘From Citizens of Auckland New Zealand’. The folder back with further banded and star burst inlay. The folder 285 x 330 x 35mm. In a fitted velvet-lined leather case with further A. Kohn label. This outer case showing some distress. Note: The arrival of the Fleet to New Zealand was an incredibly important occasion due to the instability of world politics. Japan's navy had defeated Russia's in 1905. The fleet's primary mission was to make friendly, courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying the new U.S. naval power to the world; Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military prowess and blue-water naval capabilities. It is noted that: As the fleet approached New Zealand, excitement rose to fever pitch within the city. The population had swelled with visitors who travelled to Auckland by land and sea, and a general carnival atmosphere prevailed. The American fleet, with the unconsciousness of world travellers, had the temerity to approach New Zealand’s shores on a Sunday morning. Despite the day and the early hour, some 100,000 people—10% of New Zealand’s population— lined the shores of the Waitemata Harbor and Rangitoto Channel to witness the arrival. Legacy'.https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/1991/september/great-white-fleet-new-zealand The following note is by Brian Peet ‘The Seuffert Legacy’: Admiral Sperry Portfolio. ‘The craftsman responsible for the marquetry covers of Admiral Sperry’s gift was not mentioned in contemporary press reports but was most likely William Seuffert. Kohn and Seuffert craftsmen shared a history of collaboration. In 1886 Siegfried Kohn and Anton Seuffert combined their skills to create a Jubilee Address – a gift to Queen Victoria from the citizens of NZ. In the early 1900s, Adolph Kohn and William Seuffert were also commissioned to create presentation portfolios for the Duke of Cornwall and Lord Ranfurly’. Brian Peet 'The Seuffert Legacy'.
Realised: $80,000
A rare massive New Zealand (Northland) kauri gum boulder,
of natural form with polished top, showing good mid to dark toning's with semi translucence. 500 x 380 x 215mm. 16.9kgs. Note: This is the largest kauri gum boulder we have ever sold and one of the largest we know about. It is recorded by Te Ara (The Encyclopaedia of NZ) that 'By the 1890s, pieces weighing around 5 kilograms were uncommon.'
Realised: $10,000
A rare ancient very large whales tooth,
blackened finish, reduction to outer layer at tip end. L.230mm. 907gm. Provenance: Found Okawa Bay, Chatham Islands c1930-1950 by Mrs S.P. Troy who lived there 'for a number of years'. Mrs Troy gifted a large collection of artefacts 'many pieces thousands of years old' to Auckland Museum. See copy of newspaper article about this tooth and the collection, also stating that 'According to Auckland Museum archaeologist Mr E. Simmons this whales tooth... is over four million years old.'
Realised: $9,500
A good 19thC Fijian Vuasagale whale tooth necklace,
comprising a graduated series of eleven small whole sperm whale teeth with excellent old patina, with traditional old woven fibre lashing and some later cord reinforcement. The longest tooth 100mm. Provenance: Private family collection, Palmerston North. 'It was gifted to us by a grandfather who was known to travel in the Pacific Islands'. 'As long as the family can remember, our grandfather had this, and it has been sitting in the drawer of an old writing desk for decades.'
Realised: $8,000
A New Zealand native timber handkerchief box by Anton Seuffert,
the top finely inlaid with a central cartouche depicting amaidenhair fern, surrounded by scrolling acanthus leaves, in burr totara and rewarewa. The sides with Gothic arched panels displaying various native timbers. Original early burgundy Seuffert label to the interior. Hinges and lock absent. 230 x 170 x 130mm.
Realised: $7,500
An impressive framed display of eight gold and other silver coins from the historical New Zealand 'Elingamite' shipwreck
the eight gold half sovereigns 1902 Sydney mint plus 29 other silver and copper coins, all in one frame with reprint photo of the SS Elingamite'. Note: The Elingamite an Australian passenger steamer of 2,585 tons, built in 1887, and owned by Huddart Parker was wrecked in 1902 off the north coast of New Zealand carrying a large consignment of gold.
Realised: $6,000
A rare pre-European Māori impressive Moa-Hunter-period large pre-form adze,
fine quality argillite with broad flakes all over. Duff type 1. Due to the extra-large size, it is possible that this was to be used for ceremonial purposes. Provenance: Found Nelson districtc.1950's. Note: The high-quality argillite suggests this example probably came from the Washpool quarry in the Matai Valley. Registered Y22664.
Realised: $5,500
A rare and extinct huia tail feather,
the lower calamus or quill section absent. L.140mm. Framed under glass. Provenance: Gifted to vendors father c1937 by East Coast Māori in appreciation of kindness shown.
Realised: $4,600
A pair of 19thC Solomon Islands mother-of-pearl and Tortoiseshell Fish Hooks,
finely crafted with bead detail and sennit binding. L.70/80mm
Realised: $3,100
A 19thC old Tongan casuarina kali hahapo headrest,
elegantly carved from one piece of hardwood, with concave top bar and tapered bowed convex supports with flared bar form feet. L.380mm. H.163mm. Shaw family provenance: Reputedly inherited through the family from William Shaw a missionary in Tonga. 'A messenger named William Shaw was sent to us from Taufa the chief of Pea to inform us that he wished very much that one of us would come and live with him, and that he was a greater chief than the one we were about to live under.' This quote, an extract from 'A History of Tonga As recorded by Rev. John Thomas.' Edited by Nigel Statham 2013. Photocopy of extract available. Our vendor recalls sitting on this headrest as a child.
Realised: $3,000