Description
Hardwood Hei-Tiki Carving – New Zealand, 1968
This is a pair.
Artist: Attributed to Calvin Joseph Te Whetu Marama O Te Kereama Region: Feilding, Manawatū, North Island, New Zealand Medium: Hand-carved hardwood with inlaid blue shell eyes Dimensions: 14″ H × 5½” W Date: Circa 1968 Condition: Very good; minor surface crack above one eye (non-penetrating) The second one measures 13 1/2 inches and is lightly carved CJ Kereama Feilding NZ 1968.
This striking pair of Hei-Tiki carving showcases the craftsmanship of Calvin Joseph Kereama (b. 1923), a respected master carver known for his work rooted in Māori tradition. Signed “Kereama FDG NZ” on the reverse, the piece carries deep cultural symbolism and artistic legacy. The intricate detailing and blue shell inlays bring a vivid presence to this powerful form.
Whether appreciated as an artifact of Māori heritage or a unique mid-20th-century art object, this work carries the soul of Aotearoa in its grain.
