Hand-painted scene of the Union Steam Ship Co's "Matua" entering Vavau Harbour, Tonga. "The reefer Matua, which was built for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand's Auckland, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa service, with single and two berth cabin accommodation for 39 one class passengers". (The New Zealand Maritime Record). The Matua was in service from 1939 to 1970. The painting on the clamshell shows her in her earlier livery of white (she was  re-painted with a bronze green hull, red funnel, and red stripe on the hull in 1949). Shell measures 8 cm high, 27 cm long and 16 cm deep. Normal age slight wear, but very good condition overall, and a very good piece. Heavy. 1930s.

ITEM REF No:  C16898

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