Putorino Flutes carved by John Collins

Kauri wood (stained), Muka (flax fibre) binding applied with natural plant resin, Paua Shell inlay. 545mm longer. 360mm shorter.
Stainlesss steel stands.

These two Putorino flutes are completely traditional. The Kauri timber is carved, split, and bound back together. Expressive Wheku (faces) carved into them imbue them with a human personality.
They are able to be played in several different ways, to create different sounds.
In traditional Maori culture, these flutes were used to make announcements, to call people together, to signal important events. They are not thought to have been used in a social ‘party’ situation.
Following the renaissance of their making and playing led by Hirini Melbourne and the Haumanu Collective, Maori traditional musical instruments, or ‘Taonga Puoro’ as they are collectively known, have become part of contemporary culture of Aotearoa.
Once again, we are familiar with their distinctive sounds.

John Collins was involved with the Haumanu Collective during the 1980's and 90's. Together with Hirini Melbourne, Brian Flintoff and others, they accessed Taonga Puoro that had lain dormant in museum collections. The held wananga / workshops where they studied these original artefacts, gaining knowledge of their manufacture and insight into their use and role in traditional Maori society. 
This group of people is credited with bringing Taonga Puoro 'back to life'.

Priced individually at $3800- for the shorter, and $4600- for the longer.