North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, Pre-Contact era, ca. 18th century CE or earlier. A hefty stone adze blade of a utilitarian form that is hand-carved from dark gray hardstone. The sizable tool features a thick body, a tapered blade head with an acutely angled edge, and a rectangular tang that juts out from the backside. The head exhibits both smooth and rough textures that, along with the chipped surfaces of the blade and body, indicate heavy utilitarian use when it was attached to a wooden pole. Adzes are called "ko'i" in Polynesia, and it seems they were traded widely; indeed, adzes from Hawaii have been found thousands of miles away in what is now French Polynesia, demonstrating the incredible skill of Polynesian navigators. Size: 7.5" L x 2" W (19 cm x 5.1 cm)
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
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#160975
Condition
Expected surface wear with nicks, chips, and abrasions, all commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, excellent.