Before 1840 missionaries and other permanent settlers often brought pieces of furniture with them to New Zealand or had them imported from colonies such as New South Wales. Transient groups such as sealers and whalers usually made do with simple pieces fabricated from native woods or, in some cases, whalebone. This bedside stand with matching side tables – one with a candle holder – was crafted from the bone of a southern right whale in 1838. Presumably the bedhead was placed against the stand.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
GH011337
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Tukunga
the whale bone backside stand
patsy (not verified)
17 o Māehe 2013
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou