Lot 136

Early 20th C. Maori Carved Wood Inkwell with Paua Shell Eyes

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Early 20th C. Maori Carved Wood Inkwell with Paua Shell Eyes

Estimate: $600 - $900

Starting Bid: $300

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
August 7, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Oceania, New Zealand, Maori culture, ca. 1900–1950 CE. A carved wood desk inkwell holding an antique glass ink jar between tiki figures. A flanking pair of heads each extends a protruding tongue, and a third mask sits at the front center; all show the spiraled brows and grimacing mouths of Maori figural carving, with eyes inset with iridescent paua (abalone) shell. The base is carved with scrolling koru and rauponga notching. Pieces of this type were produced in the early twentieth century, likely for the settler and tourist market, adapting Maori carving traditions to a European desk implement. Size: 5.3" L x 8.9" W x 2.5" H (13.5 cm x 22.6 cm x 6.4 cm).

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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Item # 203992

  • Condition: Wear to black paint on the surface of the inkwell. Light encrustation in the lower profile areas and signs of wear commensurate with age on the surface, but overall the piece is in very nice condition.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000