Ruatangaeo

Ruatangaeo. Hafted adze. Ruatangaeo is composed of a polished toki (adze) that is triangular in cross section. Toki is carved from toka kerekere (black basalt stone) and lashed to a carved kakau toki (handle/haft) with a squared pedestal base. The toki is lashed to the kakau toki with puru akari (coconut sennit) worked into a flat iri taki toru (3-ply braid). A piece of leather or shark skin is placed between the lashing and the adze, acting as a gasket. Finely carved surface decoration is applied to the entirety of the kakau toki, consisting of repeated triangular and 'K-form' motifs (signature Mangaian carving motif). The lashing is natural in colour. Carved kakau toki is stained dark brown in colour. Good condition. "18909 COOK IS pres. Cook Is" is handwritten in white ink on the inner base of the haft.