North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. 18th century CE. A hefty and sizeable pestle, hand-carved from porous basalt meant for pounding taro root into poi. The lovely tool presents a conical form with a narrow handle and a broad, flat pounding head. The handle features an indentation allowing for one to place one's palm and have a more secure grip when using the fine tool. Size: 3.25" in diameter x 5.875" H (8.3 cm x 14.9 cm); 7.125" H (18.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Poi pounders, alongside adzes, were the most important stone tools in Hawaii (Europeans introduced steel weapons). Traditionally, they have been used for pounding cooked taro root into poi, a stable of the diet. Taro root was steamed in an earthen oven, peeled using shells, and placed onto a slab of wood to be pounded. The pounded results were blended with water into a highly nutritious paste. Traditional calabash bowls were used as containers to hold poi mixtures, and traveling royalty were accompanied by their own poi maker, with his or her own poi-making implements like this one.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
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#160883
Condition
Nicks and abrasions commensurate with use. Otherwise, intact and very nice with rich encrustations.