This is the rating and price for 18Th C. Tahitian Volcanic Stone Poi Pounder, 2008

Description : South Pacific, French Polynesia, Tahiti, ca. 18th century CE. A stunning and sumptuous pounder, hand-carved from a porous volcanic stone, used for pulverizing taro root into poi. The fine tool displays a T-shaped handle with three ridges, one at each side and another in the middle to increase the gripping ability of the wielder. The hefty pounding surface is ovoid in form and gradually widens downwards from the slender neck. The neck and handle are incredibly smooth from use, while the rough pounding surface is consistent with finely-aged volcanic stone. Size: 3.75 W x 5.125 H (9.5 cm x 13 cm), 7.125 H (18.1 cm) on included custom stand. Poi pounders, alongside adzes, were the most important stone tools in Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands (Europeans introduced steel weapons). They are used for pounding cooked taro root into poi, a staple of the islander diet. Taro root was steamed in an earthen oven, peeled using shells, and placed onto a slab of wood to be pounded. The pounded results were blended with water into a highly nutritious paste. Traditional calabash bowls were used as containers to hold poi mixtures, and traveling royalty were accompanied by their own poi maker, with his or her own poi-making implements like this one. A similar example hammered for 15,000 Euro ($17,773) at Christie's, Paris African and Oceanic Art Auction (Live Auction 5537, December 4, 2008, lot 58). Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #161995
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