Early 19th Century New Zealand Specimen Wood Box

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Early 19th Century New Zealand Specimen Wood Box

About the Item

Extremely rare early 19th century New Zealand specimen wood casket. An early example with a wonderful color and patina Beautifully made using native New Zealand timbers Visually beautiful with multiple uses This superb piece incorporates throughout the most beautiful use of veneers and timbers. It has been designed and constructed in the most delightful way, using only indigenous New Zealand woods throughout. Timbers include Rewarewa, Kauri & Burr Totara. The beautiful design, construction, timbers and rarity of this New Zealand piece cannot be overstated. In good condition commensurate with its age and use. Rewarewa wood is instantly recognizable because of its pale to dark reddish color and attractive flecked appearance. It is one of only two species in the Protea family in New Zealand; species of which are common in Australia and South Africa. In spring, the tree’s flowers produce abundant nectar which is irresistible to Tui and Bellbirds and also produces an excellent honey. The nectar of Rewarewa used to be collected and eaten by Maori who picked the flowers in late spring and tapped them onto the inside of a gourd vessel. The inner bark was bandaged over a wound to stop bleeding and speed its healing. Pioneer Europeans saw the decorative properties of Rewarewa wood and used it in inlay and marquetry work. Its common name is New Zealand Honeysuckle, which refers to the timber’s decorative properties. The ancient Maori ranked Kauri second only to the Totara in importance. Some of the greatest northern war canoes were constructed out of single massive Kauri trunks, felled in the forest after elaborate tapu-lifting ceremonies, then hollowed out with fire and stone tools. The hulls of canoes made from single trunks in this way were known to reach 25 metres. Burning Kauri gum was used for heating and lighting, and a powder from the soot was used in tattooing. Kauri gum was used by the Maori for cooking and lighting because it burns very easily. They made torches with it to attract fish at night. It was also used as a pigment to make the dark colors in tattoos, and as a chewing gum (after it had been soaked in water and mixed with the milk of the Puha plant). The Kauri was first discovered by the 1772 expedition of French explorer Marion du Fresne. When the first Europeans came to New Zealand the northern parts of the North Island were covered in vast Kauri forests, estimated at around 1,200,000 hectares in total. Today barely 4,000 hectares of original forest remain. Initially the first Kauri cut in the late 1700s and early 1800s were the isolated tall young trees that grew near the sea. Their trunks were highly valued as replacement masts and spars for sailing ships. In November 1820 the first export load of timber left New Zealand on the HMS Dromedary. Totara. The Maoris prized this forest tree more highly than any other because of the remarkable qualities of its timber. The heartwood is very durable and the Maoris found the wood could be readily split and shaped with primitive stone tools for canoes, building, and carving. The Burr of Totara is truly exceptional in its beauty and was used in the finest New Zealand furniture pieces. Approximate size: Width 13.15 inches Depth 8.5 inches Height 4.35 inches.

Dimensions:
Height: 4.35 in (11.05 cm)Width: 13.15 in (33.41 cm)Depth: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
Style:
British Colonial (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Wood,Inlay,Marquetry
Place of Origin:
New Zealand
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1830
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1204218407902

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