Five significant Tongan patrimonial artifacts are expected to fetch around Euro 19,000 ($50,000 pa'anga) when they are auctioned in Brussels, Europe, on Friday January 24 for a private owner.

The pieces include a historic named kumete (kava bowl) that is said to have been used at the Coronations of both Tupou III in 1918 and Tupou IV in 1965.

The Royal kumete is claimed to be "Tuku'aho", whose original owner was in the line of the Tu'i Ha'a Takalaua. The auction house stated that the kumete had been also used at kava ceremonies in officiating new noble titles in Tonga.

Also to be auctioned are three historic Kali and a basket said to have belonged to the Tu'ivakano family.

The five artifacts have turned up in a tribal art auction catalogue issued by the Native Auction House (Galierie Lin and Emile Deletaille) in Brussels who sell tribal art. The pieces went on show for prospective buyers today.

The catalogue states that, “The following objects are the property of an old Tongan family of a former Tu'ivakano (Tongan Prime Minister)”.

The provenance of a large Kali Hahapo (44.5cm) states, “The kali comes from the actual owner family, the grandmother was the daughter of the Tu'ivakano (Tongan Prime Minister)”.

Also to be auctioned is also a smaller Kali Hahapo, a Kali Laloni and a Kato Alu “from an old Tongan family.”

The Native auction house states on its website that, “Before an object can be included in an auction, it must be examined by a Native so as to determine the value of each piece.”

Critics of the sale say the objects are an invaluable part of Tonga's cultural heritage and should stay in Tonga. “Those pieces should not leave the kingdom to be sold in Europe,” said one collector who did not wish to be named.