Te kaneati

Te kaneati. Fish hook of mother of pearl. This is a composite trolling hook made from te bwaeo (mother of pearl shell), te rii (bone) te ira n atu (human hair) and some cordage. A large shank has been cut from the hinge part of te bwaeo. It is long and bulbous in form. The depth of the shell's hinge can be seen from one end of te rabatan te matau (shank). It is off-white in colour with some transparency and shimmer. Both sides of te rabatan te matau portray a flat surface. The base end has two small nodes that have been carved out. Opposite, the other end has been tapered into a short point and shows where a small perforation has been drilled into the side. A long cord ahs been threaded through to form a loop. This has been knotted in two places forming a loop at its opposite end. The node end has been lashed with cordage. A lock of te ira n atu has been included in the lashing. Te ira atu shows a mix of light brown and off white strands. In addition to this, tabon te matau (point) of te rii has been lashed to te rabatan te matau. Tabon te matau curves inwards, is pale yellow in colour and portrays a smooth surface. Nodes have been carved out of its base where it has also been included in the lashing to form a complete te matau (fish hook).