Upoko whakairo (carved head)

It appears that this upoko whakairo (carved head) was once mounted onto a base for a waka huia (treasure box) by a keen collector (see this object below). It is unknown when this occurred or when the two objects were eventually separated.

The upoko whakairo's eyes are missing pāua (New Zealand abalone) shell inlay, suggesting closed eyes. The face has a full moko (customary Māori tattoo), with notable exceptions - one half of the tītī (the forehead markings) is missing, as well as the hūpē (the cleft from the nose to the upper lip). The kauae (chin) is also relatively uncarved. There are three fragments of mother-of-pearl shell fixed in the mouth cavity to imitate teeth.

The head has been fixed with wall-hang mounts and has a gum label attached with the following inscription: 'Broght [sic] home by Geo. Bennett of Yeovil & given to Mrs Pizey of Bath 1826. (Originally cut and mounted on base of a Feather Box by a European of the period.). N 628 A with F.B.'