Te rabatan te matau

human history

Te rabatan te matau. Shank. It has been filed from either te aubunga (clam shell) or cassus shell. This is one part of a composite te matau (fish hook). It is hard in material, off-white in colour, matte in surface texture and smooth to touch. A shallow furrow runs along its length and shows an alternating pattern of brown and white sections from the shells natural surface. Brown marks dapple the filed surface areas. It has been filed into a cylindrical form. One end has been tapered into a point. A circular perforation has been drilled through its depth for the purpose of inserting and attaching te ao (line). Opposite this end, a rim has been carved out for positioning the lashing of cordage. A shallow furrow has been filed into the centre of the cross-section, this would be the area in which te tabon te matau (point) would be positioned and lashed to.

Accession number: 1936.295 Last Update: 30 Nov 2018
Other Name

Fish lure shank (English)

Accession Number

1936.295

Accession Date

1936

Other Id

23942.7 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Te rabatan te matau, 1936.295, 23942.7, Photographed by Daan Hoffmann, digital, 30 Oct 2018, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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