Stone adze

Maka tā. Stone adze. Adzes were invaluable tools for Moana Pacific societies prior to the introduction of European tools and materials. They were made in a variety of sizes and shapes according to their required use. This maka tā is sourced from maka (stone) of dark basalt. it is oval in cross section and reduces toward the poll, which is left pecked. It is curved in profile and highly polished. It has a sloped bevel.

27499.3 (ethnology)

Pacific