Description:

New Zealand, Maori, ca. early 18th century CE. A hefty hand-carved black stone adze or axe head with a rounded butt that widens to a sharp edge for cutting. The stone is perhaps basalt, a strong mineral found on the North Island, and the surface has developed a lustrous polished exterior. Maori were farmers and fishermen that depended on stone tools, such as this adze, for construction, carving wood, or hunting. Making adzes was a laborious task and required breaking boulders into smaller pieces, then shaping the desired form by chipping and flaking away the edges. Finally the surface was polished with a wet grind stone and the tip was sharpened. Lucite display not included. Size: 6.15" L x 2.75" W (15.6 cm x 7 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex- Hawaii, USA collection

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#159516

  • Condition: Surface wear, and pitting with nicks, chips, and abrasions. Losses to verso commensurate with age and use. Old inventory label on verso.

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October 22, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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