North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. 18th century CE. A sizable and splendid poi pounder, hand-carved from porous volcanic stone in mottled hues of reddish brown and dark grey. The fine implement displays a hemispherical handle to increase the gripping ability of the wielder. The hefty pounding surface is ovoid in form with a flat face and gradually widens downwards from the handle, forming a conical body. Size: 4.2" L x 3.6" W x 8.7" H (10.7 cm x 9.1 cm x 22.1 cm)
Poi pounders, alongside adzes, were the most important stone tools in Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands. The pounders, known locally as a "Ke'a Tuki Popoi," are used for pounding cooked taro root into poi, a staple of the islander 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 Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 1995 to 2010
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#167395
Condition
Collection label on base. Some light surface wear from age and use. Otherwise, impressively preserved, intact, and excellent.