Adze
Originally adzes of this kind were a form of god image, possibly related to Tane-mata-ariki. The stone blades were not only tools, but also exchange valuables. Often the blades predate the handles, which were normally long and straight. The coir fibre binding that held the blade to the handle was meant to be intricate to reflect the item’s power.
When missionary influence spread in the 1820s and Cook Islanders converted to Christianity, these adzes lost their ceremonial potency and were widely collected and local specialists began making them for sale as curios. This item is a late development and was likely produced post-1820.
When missionary influence spread in the 1820s and Cook Islanders converted to Christianity, these adzes lost their ceremonial potency and were widely collected and local specialists began making them for sale as curios. This item is a late development and was likely produced post-1820.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 33/1953/8a
- Category
- Ethnography
- Collection Class
- Religion and magic
- Collection Area Region
- POLYN
- Material
- woodbasaltcoconut fibre
- Common Name
- adze
- Simple Name
- adze
- Production County
- Mangaia
- Production Country
- Cook Islands
- Production Year High
- 1953
