Paepae

Description
Paepae consists of five figures, a central female figure flanked by possible male figures on either side with their bodies in side profile and outward facing figures on each end. Decoration between the figures consists of the matakupenga pattern or fisherman's net arranged in two sets of single spirals and two sets of lattice work. The puwerewere pattern is used around the mouths, eyebrows, matakupenga lattice and spirals while haehae, raumoa and tuara kuri pakati notches are extensively used on the limbs. Two bands of decoration, one at the top of the paepae and the other at the base are present with tuarakuri being used on them also. On the necks of the two end figures a "fish scale" pattern is present. Knee and elbow joints are represented by circular depressions which may have originally been designed to take paua. One arm of the central figure is going under the leg while the other is up at the mouth with one of the fingers passing under the jaw. On the two end figures one arm passes under the leg while the other arm passes under the jaw and comes out to one side. A lashing bar is present behind the base with four lashing holes in it.

Object detail

Subject person
Classification
Building Fragment/Structures
Credit line
This paepae was found on edge of a farm drain in Easter 1959, Richmond Street, Waitara. Found at a depth of nearly two metres although a certain amount of Post-European infilling had taken place in the area. Digging sticks (ko) were also found near the paepae. For a more detailed description see publication 'Records of the Canterbury Museum Vol. VII No. IV.
Accession number
A77.338
Collection type
Māori
Material
Wood

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