Yame ni Matau

human history

Yame ni Matau. Adze blade. A yame ni matau literally means ‘tongue of the adze’, or adze blade. It is a multipurpose tool used for carving wood and other materials. This yame ni matau is carved from vatu (stone), with an oval cross-section, and dark grey/black in colour. The yame ni matau has a dull cutting edge, moderately steep bevel, and a rounded blade. The overall surface is treated to moderate to high level polish, with the sides of the blade, poll, and butt left pecked. Scratches or striations are visible across the back of the bevel on the front of the blade.

Accession number: 1970.32 Last Update: 3 May 2019
Other Name

Adze blade (English)

Place
[Fiji]/Pacific
Accession Number

1970.32

Accession Date

02 Mar 1970

Other Id

43123 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Yame ni matau, 1970.32, 43123, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 29 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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