Oceania, Melanesia, northern Solomon Islands, North Bougainville District, Takuu Atoll (also Mortlock Islands or Marqueen Islands), ca. 19th century CE. A finely preserved adze of an elegant and minimalist form enveloped with outstanding caramel-hued patina. The hand-carved hardwood adze presents a smooth, elongated handle with a dramatically angled shoulder, a thick arm projecting from the top, and a semicircular blade head carved from the cream-colored shell of a marlinspike auger snail (Oxymeris maculata). The rounded shell head is secured within a hafting slot on the arm and further fastened with twisted lashings formed from coconut sennet fibers. Adzes were some of the most important tools in Polynesia and Melanesia given their unfamiliarity with forging metal. The native hardwood provided for sturdy tools that lasted sometimes for generations, and the sharp shell blades could be easily replaced given their abundance on Mortlock beaches. Size: 11.4" W x 20.8" H (29 cm x 52.8 cm); 22.5" H (57.2 cm) on included custom stand.

For a nearly identical example, please see Davidson, Janet M. "Some Hafted Shell Adzes in The Auckland Museum." Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum, vol. 11, 1974, pp. 5-6, figs. 7-8 (adze 11543).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Leo Fortess collection, Hawaii, USA

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#154581

Minor abrasions to handle and blade, with several stable fissures to wooden handle and shoulder, and petite nicks to shell blade edge, otherwise intact and near-choice. Excellent patina throughout. Old inventory label on handle base.