Ruatangaeo

Ruatangaeo. Hafted adze. Consists of carved rakau (wooden) handle and toki (stone adze blade). Toki carved from basalt stone lashed with finely braided puru akari (coconut sennit) to an intricately open-carved long and squared rakau haft. The puru akari lashing is frayed in some places. The toki is carved and polished at the blade and left roughly pecked at the poll. Upper area of the poll is covered with a piece of shark skin between the toki and the lashing. K-form carving motifs (signature Mangaian carving motif) carved in repetition all along the handle. The toki is dark in colour. The lashing and carved rakau haft are dark brown in colour. Good condition overall. "HERVEY GROUP MANGAIA Is. CEREMONIAL ADZE. No. B6 13.XI.96" handwritten in black ink on adhesive label on the underside of the toki blade "14484" handwritten in pencil on red circular red and white adhesive label on underside of toki blade. "14484" written in white ink at the bevel near the edge. Old adhesive label, scratched/worn away is present on side of toki.