Moto Saisai

Moto Saisai. Pronged spear. Carved from kau (wood), with the tolo ni moto (body of the spear) round in cross-section. The ulu ni moto (spearhead) consists of four long prongs extending outwards, approximately 760mm long, lashed with magimagi (coconut sennit) around the top of the prongs. There is lawa ni moto (woven decoration) consisting of braids of magimagi (coconut sennit) that are wrapped around the tolo ni moto, and the base of the ulu ni moto. There are strips of plant fibre, possibly voivoi (pandanus), wrapped around the base of a prong as well as the lower area of the tolo ni moto. There are also strips of plant fibre, possibly palm sheath, wrapped around the lower area of the tolo ni moto. There is a red strip of cloth wrapped and tied around a prong. "4685.2" is handwritten in black ink across the lower area of the tolo ni moto. Light-coloured markings are visible across the tolo ni moto. The woven material is fragile and brittle.