Toki kauagati

human history

Toki kauagati. Clam shell adze. Adzes are used for carving wood into many useful objects, including vaka (canoes), construction of fale (houses), and for smaller domestic objects. This toki is worked from kauagati (tridacna shell). In the atolls of Tokelau where sourcing volcanic stone is not possible, toki made from kauagati, or giant clam shells, are the favoured option. According to the label, this toki was made by Timi. Off-white in colour, the toki kauagati is wider at its cutting edge and narrows towards the butt end. It is bent and uneven in profile due to the natural grooves of the shell. The cutting edge is smooth and sharp with a chipped bevel. The outward facing surface of the toki kauagati is wavy with raised surface texture, while its underside is smooth and matte.

Accession number: 1970.208 Last Update: 9 Oct 2019
Other Name

Adze, tridacna shell (English)

Accession Number

1970.208

Accession Date

1970

Other Id

43924 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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