Benin Bronze Vintage Ife Head of an Ini Figure

Carved with a seated tiki and two kneeling tiki figures, with inset abalone shell eyes and bands of linear and notch carving, the pear-shaped handle with a metal plaque inscribed: 'J.L. LD. N.Z. 1903'. 545 grams, 93.8 cm



From the collection of Mr Carlos Bahamonde, Manchester, UK.

A tokotoko is a traditional Māori carved ceremonial walking stick, and a symbol of authority and status for the speaker holding it. The tokotoko were beautifully carved. The most elaborate, like this one, shows a well-nourished, naked Paikea-type male figure lying flat, with his legs in the air to form a handle. The sticks have two distinctive female faces further down, one with a moko on the lips and the other with a moko kauae. All faces have pāua-shell eyes. The body of the tokotoko is intricately carved with a three-dimensional curved shape. It is less than a metre in length, pointing to its use as a ‘talking stick’ rather than an aid to walking.

Broad and shallow with four integral stub feet to the underside and four radiating barrel-shaped handles to the rim; chip-carved herringbone and other ornament to the rim with four inlaid nacre panels. 2.62 kg, 40.2 cm wide



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman.

Leaf-shaped with rounded butt; inked findspot 'Spearpoint / Carter Cay / Ky'. 40.7 grams, 92 mm



Found Carter Cay, Bahamas. From the collection of Haselmere Parish Priest, Charles Borelli (c.1914-2000) of Farnham, who was part of the Borelli family from Italy, who emigrated from Lake Como in 1828 to set up the Borelli family watch and jewellery business; thence by family descent to his nephew.