North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, Pre-Contact period, ca. 16th to 18th century CE. A group of 6 hand-pecked and polished stones, shaped into discoidal shapes and balls. The pieces were used for a game known as 'ulu maika. The stones are all porous volcanic rock in hues of gray, dark brown, and nearly black; some with glassy flecks. Four of the volcanic stone pieces are each in the form of a thick discoid, reminiscent of a hockey puck. The fifth stone displays the shape of a nearly perfect, spherical ball. The 'ulu maika game was one of the most popular forms of entertainment and in Hawaii and was played on a course known as a kahuamaika. The objective was to roll the stones as close as possible to a pair of wooden stakes, the most points were awarded to stones landing between the two stakes. Size of largest discoidal: 3" Diameter x 1.5" H (7.6 cm x 3.8 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA Collection

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#141621

Chips and abrasions to all. Small cavity on the spherical stone. Natural pitting and porous stone surfaces. Scattered and light mineral deposits on all.