Lot 28B
French Polynesia, Tahiti, Society Islands, ca. 17th to 19th century CE. A fabulous and hefty pounder, hand-carved from pale-grey basalt, meant to pulverize the roots of the taro plant into poi. The tool has a thick neck, a T-shaped handle with upturned terminals, and a hemispherical pounding face. The entire tool is incredibly smooth from repeated use, though some light roughness can be felt around the rim just above the pounding head. Finely-crafted and sturdy in composition, this is an exquisite example from French Polynesia! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 5" W x 6.875" H (12.7 cm x 17.5 cm); 8.25" H (21 cm) on included custom stand.
Poi pounders, alongside adzes, were the most important stone tools in Polynesia (Europeans introduced steel weapons). They 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.
A similar example of a different color hammered for 25,000 Euro ($29,890) at Christie's, Paris (sale 1010, June 14, 2011, lot 90): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/pilon-iles-de-la-societe-5450759-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5450759&sid=c6a9684d-487f-4a8c-b546-2ee67ad1d962
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-Jim Reed collection, Quincy, Illinois, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#133629
- Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age and use, and some light discoloration, otherwise intact and choice. Light earthen deposits across most surfaces.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |