South Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, Mahaka Valley, ca. 18th century CE. A fine example of a hand-carved volcanic stone pounder used to pulverize taro root into poi. The tool has a knob-shaped handle, a sloped shoulder, and a broad, hemispherical pounding surface with a relatively smooth texture indicative of use. Poi pounders, alongside adzes, were the most important stone tools in Hawaii. They are used for pounding cooked taro root into poi, a staple 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. Size: 3.25" W x 5" H (8.3 cm x 12.7 cm); 6.25" H (15.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
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#161993
Condition
Chips and pitting commensurate with use and stone type, with nicks to pounding face and knob handle, otherwise intact and very good. Great preservation to overall form.