New Zealand Auction Saturday, 7 February 2026 / 6:00 pm start
Rare Edition of The Book "Maori Patterns Painted & Carved" By J H Menzies, Publisher ChCh Smith and Anthony,1910
Current Bid $480 (47 bids, reserve met)
Register as an approved buyer to leave a pre-auction bid on this lot
Register NowPre-bidding continues until this is the next lot to be offered live by our auctioneer
Buyer premium and GST is additional to your bid.
All bids are subject to our buyer terms and conditions
Lot Details
Engraved title page in red and black; explanatory leaf; 28 plates. Given To Julia Thorpe Great Grandson Of J.H Menzies By His Father Rare only edition of an interesting pattern book of Maori decoration and ornament, featuring carvings and rafter patterns (kowhaiwhai), as well as Maori texts, the latter translated by Hare Hongi on a separate, printed page. The author, John Henry Menzies (1839-1919) was born in Liverpool of Scottish descent. He arrived in New Zealand in1860, and settled first in Southland, where he bought, developed and sold land. In 1878, he moved to McIntosh Bay on Banks Peninsula (Horomaka), near Christchurch. He bought the land from Tom McIntosh, and in 1879 built the homestead "Glen Mona". in the place of McIntosh s simple cottage. The new homestead was elaborately decorated with carvings of Maori patterns and flower motifs. The bay was renamed to Menzies Bay. Menzies put his usual energy into developing the property (about 4,400 acres). He studied Maori patterns and felt that he had gained an inkling of what they stood for (J. Hector, on astro-uni website). The introduction by Menzies consists of a short history of Maori carving. "I have attempted to collect and perpetuate these beautiful patterns, painted and carved. carved most of them in wood and stone myself, and have been more and more struck by the good taste and art shown in them.
Other items you may like from this sale
Large Air New Zealand Map Of The World Showing Places It Visits
Traditional Well Carved Maori Carved Panel Known As A Pou Pou Or Whakairo
Book: Maori Patterns Painted & Carved By J Menzies Reprinted 188/750
WW2 Envelope & Writing Paper w Maori Stamped Scenes
New Zealand Circular Lidded Box On A Raised Square Stand In The Manner Of Jane Brenkley.
New Zealand Maori Motif Hand Carved Box w Tiki Set With Paua Shell Eyes.
Colonial Care de Visite of Maori Chief w Huia Feathers, Feather Cloak, Holding a Patu - Davis & Co, Welington
Estimate: $400 - $500
Vintage Maori Carved Teko Teko w Patu & Inset Paua Eyes
Book -Wonder Tales Of Maoriland By A H Reed & A S Patterson. Printed By White & Carmen Ltd Wellington.
1905 New Zealand Iles of Rotorua Tourist Plate w Maori People
Pair Of Art Deco Style Dome Top Bookends Inlaid With New Zealand Timbers
J & E Meakin Souvenir Plate Featuring The Centennial Tower, Made To Commemorate New Zealand Centennial Exhibition 1940
Three Lilliput Maori books with stand; Sovereign Woodware Ltd; 1964 - 1972;
Rimu Vase Depicting A Maori Vase & Two Wooden Serviette Rings Both From The NZ & SS Exhibiton
Piece Of Maori Wood Carving Or Whakairo Rakau. Possibly Rimu.
Vintage Rectangular Maori Tiki Hand Carved Trinket Box With Paua Shell Inlay "Tapu" Designs
Colonial New Zealand Homestead Scene, C Harris Gisborne
Estimate: $40 - $60
1905 New Zealand Iles of Rotorua Tourist Plate w Maori People
1905 New Zealand Iles of Rotorua Tourist Plate w Maori People
Vintage Maori Carve Lamp Base w Paua Inset Eyes
