To'i

human history

To'i. Hafted adze. Dark basalt ofa'i (stone) is worked and polished into a Fao'a (adze), triangular in section. The Fao'a has flaked sides with a defined bevel and cutting edge. Its blade is flat and smooth. The Fao'a is lashed securely to the haft carved from toi wood with braided nape (coconut sennit). The 'Ā'au (wooden haft) is somewhat light in weight. It is carved into a pronounced heel that is carved into an angular hook at the end and a long cylindrical to'o (shaft) for grip. The 'Ā'au and nape components are brown in colour, and the Fao'a is dark in colour.

Last Update: 18 Jun 2018
Other Name

Hafted Adze (English)

Accession Date

1924

Other Id

14503 (ethnology)

D3 (Edge-Partington)

Department

Pacific

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hafted adze, 14503, D3, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 09 Jan 2018, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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