**First Time At Auction**
North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, ca. 19th century CE. A large, hand-carved volcanic stone tool for grinding and pounding, in mottled hues of ash grey and charcoal. This hefty pestle displays a hemispherical handle to increase the gripping ability of the wielder. The broad pounding surface is circular in form with a convex face and gradually widens downwards from the slender neck. Poi pounders were one of the most important stone tools in Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands. They are used for pounding cooked taro root into poi, a staple of the islander diet. The ground-up roots were blended with water into a highly nutritious paste. Size: 7.5" L x 5.5" W (19 cm x 14 cm); 8.5" H (21.6 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
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#160877
Condition
Earthen and mineral deposits on pounding face. Age and use expected abrasions to face and carinated edge. Natural stone pitting and porous surface. Intact and very good.