Maihi
Description
Consists of two frontal female figures, one on top of the other. The top figure has one arm through its mouth with the other arm at its side with the hand resting on its knee. One leg passes through the lower figures eyebrow. The other leg is at its side with the foot resting on the lower figures peaked forehead. The lower figure also has one arm through its lower jaw while the other arm is linked with its leg. The legs are drawn up underneath the vulva. The two eye pegs on the lower figure have double spirals carved on them. A small amount of background decoration is present on the right side of the maihi between the lower body of the top figure and the head of the lower figure. It consists of broad crescent designs incorporating puwerewere, haehae and raumoa which has notching along parts of it. Maihi is from the right side of the pataka. Carving is moderately deep. In the past this piece has been classified as an epa. However, there are several points which suggest that it is in fact a maihi. First there is a flaring near the angled end. This occurs on no other epa. Secondly there is the "narrowness" of this piece especially when its length is taken into account. Finally there is "free" space at the base of the artefact. All other known epa are carved right to the bottom edge of the base. These features plus the form of carving, being neither deep nor shallow, in comparison with the epa, suggest that this piece is a maihi.
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