Ruatangaeo

Ruatangaeo. Hafted adze. Consists of carved rakau (wooden) handle and toki (stone adze blade). Toki (adze - triangular in cross section) of toka kerekere (basalt stone) lashed with braided puru akari (coconut sennit) in an iri taki toru (3-ply braid) technique to a carved rakau haft. Haft carved in a solid cylindrical shape towards the top of the haft, and carved in a cube at the base. Carved surface decoration applied to the entirety of the rakau haft consisting of repeated rows of triangular motifs. The toki is carved and polished at the blade and dark in colour. The lashing and carved rakau haft are dark brown in colour. Excellent condition overall. "22369 MR. GEO" on a torn sticker on the underside of the cylindrical area of the haft. "22369 Cook Is pres" in faded white ink at the same location. "22369 Cook Is" in white ink on the blade of the toki at shoulder.