North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, Big Island (Hawai'i), ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A wonderful poi pounder of a relatively uniform conical shape that is hand-carved from dark-gray hardstone with cream-hued inclusions. The pounder features a bell-shaped body that tapers to form the shoulder, a knob-shaped handle on top, and a convex pounding face that bulges from the bottom. While the pounding face still retains a coarse surface texture, the handle and body exhibit a pleasingly smooth texture indicative of countless uses. Poi pounders, alongside adzes, were the most important stone tools in Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands (Europeans introduced steel weapons). They are used for pounding cooked taro root into poi, a staple of the islander diet. Size: 3.625" W x 6.4" H (9.2 cm x 16.3 cm); 7.625" H (19.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-private Big Island, Hawaii, USA collection
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#160884
Condition
Upper body and handle reattached to body, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor pitting to surfaces, with abrasions and chips to handle, body, and pounding face. Great preservation to overall form and nice surface smoothness across body and handle.