Description:

South Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, ca. mid-20th century CE. A fine octopus lure (known locally as a "leho he'e") comprised of a slender wooden rod that is wrapped with grassy fibers. A hemispherical fragment of volcanic stone and a large cowrie shell constitute the weight on one end, and a petite mammal bone hook protruding from the other end. The lures were dipped deep into the water and shaken up and down until an octopus wrapped its tentacles around the hook end, and then the fisher would pull the lure up so as to pierce the octopus's beak, body, or tentacles with the hook. An intriguing example of Hawaiian ingenuity! Size: 14.25" L x 3.75" W (36.2 cm x 9.5 cm).

For a stylistically-similar example, please see Cooper Hewitt Collection at The Smithsonian Design Museum, accession number 15.2012.43: https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/35520511/

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#141316

  • Condition: Intact and very good with light fraying to grass strands.

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August 6, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
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Artemis Fine Arts

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