Story: Crafts and applied arts

Māori motifs and subjects became popular in crafts in the early 20th century. This repoussé brass fire guard is embellished with a traditional Māori village complete with wharenui (meeting house), people of various ages, cabbage trees and nīkau palm. Repoussé is a metalwork technique in which the reverse side is beaten to produce an image in low relief on the other side.