Maori Bailer “Tata”
Maori bailer were made to empty the water from the bottom of large wooden canoes but are also a collectable Maori Artifact in their own right. Maori canoes or Waka varied in size but collectable bailers are from large war canoes or Waka Tuau.
Maori Canoe bailers were also made for sale and although collectable are not as valuable as bailers made for indigenous use.
If you have a Maori canoe bailer and want an estimate as to it’s value please feel free to contact me.
Right: Image of a Maori canoe bailer made for sale. Most canoe bailers made for indigenous use wer plain on the underside as this surface was scrapped along the bottom of the canoe while emptying water.
Maori Bailer Information
Most Maori Bailers made to be used with Waka Taua are 40cm -60 cm in length. Used bailers should have some signs of wear on the bottom from use.
Maori Canoe bailers vary in value from $2000 to $50,000 depending on their age conditin and design.
Large bailers used for war canoes typically take the shape of a stylized human head. The bottom of the bailer ends in a mouth, with eyes positioned above and on either side. The handle extends from above the mouth, resembling an elongated nose, with the end often featuring intricate carving. The scoop of the bailer is designed to fit the shape of the canoe’s bilge, making it an efficient tool for bailing water. These bailers were often crafted in identical pairs and were sometimes given honorary names, a common tradition for significant objects in New Zealand and throughout Polynesia.
The following image is to give the reader a visual reference to the variety and style of Maori bailer.
The above examples are all older example made for indigenous use.
Depending on the region these Maori bailers are also called tata, tiheru or ta wai
The Maori still carve contemporary examples for sale to tourists
All images in this article are for educational purposes only.
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