Tao 'akatara

human history

Tao 'akatara. Bone spear head. This Tao 'akatara (bone spear) is carved and ground from ivi tohorā (whale bone). It is serrated with barbs cut on either side of the shaft, which is ground to a pointed tip at the distal end, and cut on a slant at the base and notched, intended to be fitted on a haft. It is a natural, off-white in colour with darker flecks in the grain. its surface is highly polished. Illustrated in "Polynesian Artfacts" pl. 6

Accession number: 1950.128 Last Update: 24 Mar 2023
Other Name

Spear point (English)

Place
Gambier Islands/French Polynesia/Pacific Tuamotu/French Polynesia/Pacific
Accession Number

1950.128

Accession Date

04 Jul 1950

Other Id

31552 (ethnology)

417b (Oldman Collection)

Department

Pacific

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13 Images
point, spear, 1950.128, 31552, 417b, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 17 Jan 2018, Cultural Permissions Apply
point, spear, 1950.128, 31552, 417b, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 17 Jan 2018, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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