Oceania, French Polynesia, Tahiti, ca. 19th century CE. A gorgeous hook meant for catching sharks or larger fish, hand-carved from a dense wooden fragment that was likely part of a rootstalk. The curved profile bears a deep crook on the bottom, a slender diagonal arm with a nacre hook bound with coconut sennet fibers, and a tapered handle end which has a sennet fiber line attached to the top. Fishers would cast these hooks out into open waters by swinging it around on the string and then hurling it as far as they could. The strength of the sennet fibers enabled them to withstand a tremendous amount of pressure, especially when reeling in large catches like sharks. Fine patina envelops the entire tool. Lucite display stand for photography purposes only. Size: 5.4" W x 9.5" H (13.7 cm x 24.1 cm).
For a stylistically similar example with a hook made from a naturally bent root, please see The British Museum, museum number Oc,TAH.7.
Provenance: private Nevada, USA collection
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#150094
Condition
Minor nicks and fissures to wooden body, with light fraying and loosening to areas of coconut sennet fibers, and minor encrustations, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout.