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By William Van Zyl (Published in November 2023).
Table of Contents
Synopsis:
This eBook or article aims to give a short overview of traditional Māori Furniture and tools. Garden tools – the hoe or paddle – are one of the focuses—Māori-inspired shapes, forms and patterns for hardwood chairs and side tables. I also include ideas for a mild steel side or coffee table—concepts at the end.
Towards the end – just for fun and inspiration – I include AI-generated images (Midjourney) to inspire readers, artists, carpenters, furniture makers, carvers, and designers. The focus is on aesthetics – Māori art, Māori carvings, and more. Shape and form embedded in furniture and garden tools (hoe/spade or paddle).
Additionally, the resource could be used for the new Technology Curriculum NCEA Level 1 (New Zealand), which will be implemented in 2024. Secondary school students and teachers could find this resource valuable for research and design inspiration. It includes a summary of the history of Māori furniture and Māori gardening tools, with a strong focus on embedding Mātauranga Māori (Māori Knowledge).
IMAGE: Māori chair designs – AI-inspired. IMPORTANT: Note that it could be inappropriate to have Māori patterns on the seat. Māori Tikanga. Best not to include any Māori shape, form, or pattern on the seating area (acknowledging Maori protocols).
IMAGE: AI at work. IMPORTANT: Note that it could be inappropriate to have Māori patterns on the seat. Māori Tikanga. Best not to include any Māori shape, form, or pattern on the seating area (acknowledging Maori protocols).
IMAGES: More robust carved chairs. AI-generated images. PROMPT (Midjourney): Māori-inspired chair. No patterns on the seat. Smooth seat. IMPORTANT: Note that it could be inappropriate to have Māori patterns on the seat. Māori Tikanga. Best not to include any Māori shape, form, or pattern on the seating area (acknowledging Maori protocols).
Introduction:
I look at traditional Māori tools and furniture and then explore contemporary approaches, I then move on to contemporary design using AI (Midjourney) for furniture and garden tool design. Don’t miss out on the excellent modern AI-inspired images at the end – carved wooden chairs, garden tools, and carving tools.
Traditional Māori Tools
Tools are related to furniture making. So, I start by looking at Māori farming tools. For hundreds of years, Māori worked the land to produce food. I also look at Māori furniture-making tools – specifically carving tools. I look at traditional carving tools and how they relate to Māori culture. Māori spirituality and culture are deeply embedded in Māori art, sculpture, and furniture – always conveying a more profound message. Māori carvings and art are synonymous with Māori design. I showcase some contemporary Māori designs. I also show the power of AI to use Māori-inspired ideas to create furniture, carving tools, and more.
IMAGE: I have taken this photo of the Māori garden at the Hamilton Gardens in New Zealand (2015). See the extravagant decorative carvings and painted patterns—aesthetics combined with storytelling. The images and patterns encrypt Māori culture, spirituality, and genealogy (whakapapa). Credit: Author.
IMAGE: Māori Garden – Hamilton Gardens. Pātaka – small, raised buildings, some elaborately carved – were used to store food for ceremonial events and winter use. Storage pits, sterilised by fire and sealed against vermin, were also used to hold some foods, such as kūmara.
About the Māori Garden in Hamilton:
The Māori garden – Te Parapara – showcases plants used for various purposes and those of cultural importance. The displays are designed with references to traditional structures and cultural gardening practices. The garden narrates the history of cultivated food in Waikato, from the arrival of the Tainui waka to the expansive plantations in the 1840s. It illustrates how Polynesians in Aotearoa utilised wild plants and developed techniques for growing tropical crops in a sub-tropical climate.
The garden also highlights the cultural context that shaped pre-European Waikato/Ngati Wairere society’s agronomic life. Te Parapara is divided into two sections. Te Ara Whakatauki, between the Piazza and the waharoa (gateway), represents the uncultivated food from the forest and grassland, ruled by Haumia-tiketike, the deity of wild food plants. Te Taupa, located beyond the Waharoa, is the realm of cultivated food, governed by Rongomatane, the deity of kumara and all cultivated food plants.
IMAGE: Māori Garden at Hamilton Gardens. Credit: Author.
Keywords: General
Māori art, Māori sculpture, Māori furniture, Māori tools, Māori architecture, Mātauranga Māori, Midjourney AI, Māori Culture, Māori worldview, Māori carving tools, Māori farming, Māori shape, Māori form, Māori pattern, Māori colour, Māori gardening tools, Māori design, AI-generated images, DVC NCEA Level 1 (NZ), Technology Level 1 NCEA
Māori specific Keywords:
Tukanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga, kotahitanga, wairuatanga, anauahatanga.
Essential Māori shapes and forms:
Six prevalent symbols are used repeatedly in pounamu carving: the Koru, Pikorua, Manaia, Hei Tiki, Hei Matau, and Toki. Let’s briefly explore the symbolism and meaning behind each.
- Koru: The unfurling fern frond shape symbolises new life, growth, strength, and peace.
- Pikorua (Twist): Represents the bond between two people, friendship, and the interconnectedness of different lives and paths.
- Manaia: A mythical creature with the head of a bird, a human’s body, and a fish’s tail. It signifies a guardian spirit, protection, and balance between the spiritual and physical worlds.
- Hei Tiki: A human-like figure with a large head, representing ancestors and fertility. It is often worn as a pendant.
- Hei Matau (Fish Hook): Symbolizes prosperity, strength, and safe travel over water. It’s also associated with the importance of fishing in Māori culture.
- Toki (Adze): Represents strength, determination, and courage. It is also associated with carving and craftsmanship.
These symbols hold cultural significance in Māori traditions and are often used in art, jewellery, and tattooing to convey meaningful messages.
IMAGE: Carved bone Manaia. Hand carved by Andrew Doughty and crafted from naturally stained bone. This exquisite manaia features eyes adorned with Pāua Shell inlay, encompassing an interior brass inlay. The brass element symbolises the appreciation of life’s abundance and the ability to perceive and enjoy it fully. Credit: https://www.nzpacific.com/products/eke-panuku-successfully-overcome
See a short summary (including images) of the different shapes with short descriptions here: https://symbolikon.com/meanings/Māori-symbols-meanings/
TIMELINE: Māori furniture over the past 700 years.
The history of Māori furniture in New Zealand over the last 700 years reflects the evolving cultural, social, and economic landscape of the Māori people. Māori furniture has been influenced by both traditional design principles and contemporary influences, showcasing the use of shape, form, texture, pattern, and colour from a cultural perspective.
Before the arrival of European settlers in the early 19th century, Māori furniture was primarily crafted from native timber and flax. Traditional Māori furniture included intricately carved wooden pieces like wharenui (meeting houses) and waka (canoes), serving practical and symbolic purposes. These pieces featured intricate carvings and patterns that conveyed cultural stories, genealogy, and spiritual significance. Earthy, natural colours and natural materials such as wood and flax were used daily during this period.
With the arrival of European settlers, Māori society underwent significant changes, including the introduction of Western technologies and materials. This period blended traditional Māori design elements with European influences, resulting in a unique fusion of styles. Māori furniture adapted to incorporate new materials like metals and glass while retaining traditional patterns and motifs.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Arts and Crafts movement influenced Māori design, creating pieces that emphasised the use of intricate patterns, fine craftsmanship, and natural materials.
Many of these decorative items, such as finely carved wooden boxes and storage units, showcase both functional and aesthetic qualities. The use of bold patterns and vibrant colours remained significant during this era. See the images for details.
The mid-20th century saw a resurgence of interest in traditional Māori design and crafts, driven by cultural revitalisation efforts. This era witnessed the creation of traditional-style wharenui and waka, often used for cultural and educational purposes. Māori furniture and artwork incorporated more intricate carvings and a return to earthy colours and natural materials, reflecting a desire to reconnect with their cultural heritage.
In recent decades, Māori design has continued to evolve, reflecting a fusion of traditional and contemporary influences. Māori artists and designers have explored various materials, textures, and colours to create furniture that combines traditional symbolism and modern aesthetics. There has been a greater emphasis on the use of Māori motifs, such as the koru (spiral), hei tiki (pendant), and tāniko (weaving patterns), in contemporary furniture and interior design. Bold colour palettes and the use of both traditional and modern techniques have become common in Māori furniture design, allowing for a more diverse and innovative expression of Māori culture.
The history of Māori furniture in New Zealand over the past two centuries reflects a dynamic interplay between tradition and adaptation. The use of shape, form, texture, pattern, and colour in Māori furniture design has preserved cultural identity, celebrated heritage and responded to changing social and artistic influences. This ongoing evolution is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Māori people in expressing their cultural heritage through the art of furniture design—a well-made pair of small wooden stools – traditional Māori shapes and forms. Ornately carved with traditional Māori motifs. Faces on each seat have inlaid Paua eyes. Height 235 mm. Credit: https://www.orakeiobjet.co.nz/Furniture-from-Orakei-Objet/Pair-of-Carved-Wooden-Māori-Stools
IMAGE: A mid-20th-century Māori wooden box, intricately carved and adorned with paua shell inlay. Traditional shape and form. The interior label bears the inscription “Genuine Carved Māori Tapu.” The dimensions of the box are 100 mm x 100 mm x 45 mm. The term “Tapu” holds a special significance in Māori culture, encompassing a multitude of meanings and connotations. It can be understood as ‘sacred’ (tapu) or defined as ‘spiritual restriction,’ carrying a profound set of regulations and prohibitions. Anything or anyone deemed tapu is not to be touched and, in certain instances, should not even be approached. Link: https://www.orakeiobjet.co.nz/Objet-from-Orakei-Objet/Genuine-Carved-Māori-Tapu
IMAGE: Antique Māori Tools for Engraving. Opere degl’ Isolani della Nuora Zealanda. Engraving from Cook’s voyages circa 1790. 195 mm x 250 mm. Credit: https://www.orakeiobjet.co.nz/Art-from-Orakei-Objet/Antique-Māori-Tools-Engraving
IMAGE: Māori Agricultural Tools: Kō (digging implement), 19th century, North Island, maker unknown. Augustus Hamilton Collection. Credit: Te Papa Museum – NZ.
About the hoe (spade/Kō ).
The kō, often compared to a hoe, stands as the most renowned and commonly employed agricultural tool within Māori culture. Primarily designed for soil loosening, it exhibited diverse shapes and lengths, its composition varying according to the soil type and the user’s specific needs.
In tandem with the teka (foot tread), the kō functioned as a spade, while in its solitary use, it was instrumental in breaking up the earth within post holes. Certain kō were meticulously carved to serve ceremonial purposes, reserved for the tohunga who conducted rituals associated with planting, infusing these tools with deep cultural significance.
IMAGE: Art Deco period Māori Chief Bookends. See the influence of Māori art and culture on the Art Deco style artefacts. Pair of Plaster Māori Chief bookends. Condition: very good, with some minor chips to the plinths. Dimensions; H 120mm, D 280mm
https://www.orakeiobjet.co.nz/Objet-from-Orakei-Objet/Art-Deco-period-Māori-Chief-Bookends
TIMELINE: Māori Tools over the years.
The history of Māori tools in New Zealand over the past 700 years reflects the intricate relationship between the indigenous Māori culture, their unique worldview, and the community’s evolving practical and spiritual needs. Māori tools have been central to their way of life, and their design, function, and cultural significance have evolved over the centuries.
- Traditional Māori Tools (c. 13th-18th centuries): Before European contact, Māori tools were crafted from native materials such as wood, bone, and stone. These tools were skillfully designed for various purposes, from hunting and gathering to construction and spiritual rituals. Tools like the adze (toki) and the fishing hook (matau) were essential for subsistence, while weapons like the mere (a short club) and the taiaha (spear) played vital roles in warfare and cultural ceremonies.
- Integration of European Materials (Late 18th to 19th centuries): With the arrival of European settlers, Māori society experienced significant changes. Traditional Māori tools incorporated new materials like metal, glass, and ceramics. While the core functions of these tools remained, their designs began to evolve with the influence of European aesthetics.
- Cultural Revival (20th century): In the mid-20th century, there was a resurgence of interest in traditional Māori culture, including their tools. This period saw the revival of traditional crafting techniques and designs as Māori people sought to reconnect with their heritage and preserve their cultural knowledge. Tools were crafted with a deep appreciation for the Māori worldview, emphasising the interconnectedness of all living things (whakapapa) and the spiritual significance of the natural world.
- Contemporary Māori Tools (Late 20th century to present): In recent decades, Māori tools have continued to evolve, embracing a fusion of traditional and contemporary influences. The Māori worldview, which emphasises respect for the environment and the importance of cultural preservation, has played a significant role in developing modern Māori tools. These tools often feature intricate carvings and patterns, connecting them to cultural stories and genealogy while also incorporating sustainable practices in their design and production.
Credit: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/garden/118954011/gardening-taonga-traditional-mori-tools
IMAGE: Te Parapara, the Māori garden at Hamilton Gardens, features faithful recreations of traditional gardening implements. Among these tools are two ko used for digging and a timo, which serves the purpose of weeding and mounding—credit Sam Seath. Link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/garden/118954011/gardening-taonga-traditional-mori-tools
Māori Carving Tools:
IMAGE: The history of Māori carving tools is rich, ranging from the contemporary and the traditional back to the mythical. Clive Fugill is a Master Carver at the NZ Māori Arts & Crafts Institute in Rotorua, where he learned his craft in the late 1960s. Credit Clive Fugill. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/201827268/clive-fugill-on-Māori-carving-tools
IMAGE: Sketches from Clive Fugill’s new book – Te Toki Me Te Whao: The Story and Use of Māori Tools – examine the creation and evolution of implements like the toki (adze) and whao (chisel).Credit: Clive Fugill. Link: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/201827268/clive-fugill-on-Māori-carving-tools
IMAGE: Making a Māori Style Wood Carving Chisel From Jade – Whao
Link to video: https://youtu.be/gkElVbMXJXE?feature=shared
IMAGE: Link to video: https://youtu.be/I4zwQi1CSiQ?feature=shared
About Māori and their carving tools:
The Māori people of New Zealand have a rich tradition of using carving tools as artists since ancient times. Māori carving is an essential element of their cultural expression, and these tools have played a significant role in creating intricate and meaningful artwork. Here’s how the Māori have used their carving tools as artists throughout their history:
- Cultural Expression: Māori carving is deeply rooted in their cultural and spiritual beliefs. Carving tools have been used to create artworks that reflect the Māori worldview, emphasising the interconnectedness of all living things, ancestral connections, and the spiritual significance of the natural world. These carvings often depict cultural stories, genealogy, and mythological narratives.
- Functional Art: Māori carving tools were traditionally used to craft functional items with artistic designs. These included waka (canoes), wharenui (meeting houses), weapons, and everyday objects like boxes, paddles, and tools. These items served practical purposes and were adorned with intricate carvings that added cultural and artistic value.
- Ritual and Ceremonial Art: Māori carving tools have been crucial in creating objects used in rituals, ceremonies, and traditional performances. Carved weapons, implements, and adornments were integral to various Māori rituals, including haka (war dances) and powhiri (welcoming ceremonies). These tools created items like taiaha (spears) and hei tiki (pendants), which held deep spiritual significance.
- Ornamental Art: Māori carving extends to ornamental art as well. Highly skilled carvers created intricate jewellery, like bone or greenstone (pounamu) pendants, often featuring traditional designs and motifs. These aesthetically pleasing ornaments symbolised the wearer’s cultural identity and connection to their heritage.
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Māori carving tools have been instrumental in preserving cultural heritage. The Carvings’ intricate patterns and designs passed down cultural knowledge and stories from generation to generation. Carving schools and master-apprentice relationships have been influential in ensuring the continuity of this artistic tradition.
- Adaptation to Contemporary Art: While traditional Māori carving techniques and tools continue to be used, there is also an evolution in how Māori artists express themselves. Many contemporary Māori artists incorporate traditional design elements into modern mediums, such as painting, sculpture, and digital art. This blending of tradition and innovation allows Māori artistic expression to continue.
In summary, Māori carving tools have been essential for expressing the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Māori people. These tools have been used to create functional, ritual, ornamental, and ornate art forms that showcase artistic skill, convey deep cultural meanings, and preserve Māori traditions for future generations.
Māori Worldview and their tools:
The Māori worldview, with its deep spiritual connection to the land and its understanding of the interconnectedness of all things, has influenced the design and use of Māori tools. Tools are not only functional but also hold profound cultural and spiritual significance. They are considered taonga (treasures) and are integral to ceremonies, rituals, and daily life.
In short, the history of Māori tools in New Zealand spans centuries and reflects the dynamic interplay between tradition, adaptation, and the Māori worldview. These tools have evolved to meet changing needs while preserving cultural identity, showcasing intricate design, and embodying the deep cultural and spiritual values of the Māori people.
AI-inspired Māori Garden Tools (Midjourney)
Here is a couple of AI-generated Māori Garden Tools. Focus on aesthetics and not so much on function. To stimulate ideas for design work.
Prompt:
Māori-inspired garden tools. Spade and rake. Focus on functionality. Focus on traditional Māori shapes, forms, and patterns. Include a modern contemporary garden spade and rake design.
Māori-inspired spades (hoe or paddle) for gardening (decorative only)
In these images, see the resemblance of the Māori patu (short, sharp hand weapon) and the Māori paddle for a waka (canoe).
Here is an example of an original Māori patu, followed by AI-art concepts.
IMAGE: A carved traditional wooden Patu or Mere with ornate engravings on the front.
Credit: https://boneart.co.nz/products/patu-war-club-704c
Size of patu:
260mm Long (10.25 Inches)
About the patu and Māori (New Zealand indigenous people).
Māori warriors were fierce fighters and in the close confines of New Zealand’s dense bush, small hand weapons were the most practical to use.
They were often carved in stone or jade and used like a knife with a stabbing movement, so they needed a strong wrist tether to keep them in the hand while fighting.
AI-art: Patu or Paddle
Māori-inspired carving tools (AI – Midjourney)
Prompt:
Māori-inspired traditional carving tools. Materials: Greenstone blades and hardwood handles. Focus – Māori art, shape, form, and pattern.
Māori-inspired tea tray made from wood:
Prompt: Māori-inspired tea tray. To serve tea. To carry teacups and a teapot. Materials wood. Include some Māori shapes, forms and patterns.
Contemporary Māori-inspired bedside cabinet.
Prompt: Māori-inspired bedside cabinet. Include one door and one drawer. Materials wood. Include some Māori shapes, forms and patterns—modern contemporary design.
Simple side table for use in a lounge:
Prompt:
Small side table for a lounge. Māori-inspired design. Square-shaped table top. Include some Māori shapes and forms. No carving. To be used for tea or coffee. Solid wood. Simple design.
Additional small table design. Māori-inspired shapes and forms. Solid wood.
Metal design: Simple side table (or coffee table) for use in the lounge.
Prompt: Maori-inspired coffee table. Steel scroll structure with translucent glass top. Steel flat bars bent into different shapes and welded together.
CNC Machine Design
Prompt: Māori-inspired coffee table. All mild steel design. Include scrolls and welding techniques. Use mild steel flat bar, round bar, hollow tube, and hollow pipes for the framework. Include some Māori shapes and forms in the steelwork—spray-painted finish.
IMAGE: A CNC machine would be the perfect choice to produce these Māori-inspired patterns. CNC, an acronym for computer numerical control, is pivotal in manufacturing. Guided by a computer, these sophisticated machines bring a level of efficiency, accuracy, and consistency that transcends the capabilities of manual processes.
IMAGE: Typical CNC machine. Credit: https://www.uti.edu/blog/cnc/6-cnc-machines
New NZ Curriculum DVC Level 1:
Link: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/past-exams-and-exemplars/design-and-visual-communication/m
Technology and the NZ Curriculum: Mātauranga Māori (Māori Knowledge)
As they study, ākonga (students) will explore the importance of Tikanga Māori (customs and traditional values, especially in a Māori context) and traditional Pacific practices to understand how technology outcomes impact people. They will learn to appreciate this through consideration of mātāpono Māori, tukanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga, kotahitanga, wairuatanga, and auahatanga.
Source: https://ncea.education.govt.nz/technology/materials-and-processing-technology?view=learning
In Conclusion:
I have provided the basics of Māori furniture and tool design, touching on farming and carving. Now, it is your turn to be creative and innovative. Use traditional and historical knowledge – and AI assistance – to innovate while researching. Make notes and simple concept sketches as you increase your knowledge. Conduct investigations and explore practical and theoretical solutions. Finally, solve real-life problems and challenges by producing creative and innovative design work in all subject areas. Integrate and explore Mātauranga Māori in the process.
Citation:
Van Zyl, W. N. (2023). Māori-inspired AI Furniture and AI Tool Design (New Zealand). Including an Overview of Traditional Māori Furniture and Māori Tools. Five House Publishing. https://fivehousepublishing.com/2023/11/18/maori-inspired-ai-furniture-and-ai-tool-design-new-zealand-including-an-overview-of-traditional-maori-furniture-and-maori-tools/
Interested in more Māori resources on architecture, food, fashion, furniture, tools, worldview, AI, and more?
Search the blog posts: ‘Māori‘
Here are some examples of the many articles and resources available: Māori context (metalwork, woodwork, furniture, food, tools, worldview, placenta, AI, Modernist architecture [Le Corbusier – Villla Savoye and others], and much more).
Copyright © 2023 by William Van Zyl
Māori-inspired AI Furniture and AI Tool Design (New Zealand). Including an Overview of Traditional Māori Furniture and Māori Tools.
All rights reserved. This eBook/article or any portion
thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner
without the publisher’s permission, except for using brief quotations in a book review.
Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)
First Publishing, November 2023
More eBooks and articles are available at https://fivehousepublishing.com/
More about the author at http://williamvanzyl.com/
