South Pacific, Coral Sea, New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Caledonie), Kanak people, ca. 19th century CE. A fine ceremonial axe known as a nbouet (or gi okono) with a hand-carved nephrite blade that exhibits mottled green and black colors. The slender axe has an interior wooden structure wrapped with vegetal fibers and sennet threads and a forked top meant to secure the axe blade. The blade has a sharpened edge around the peripheries as well as a pair of biconically drilled attachment holes on the bottom. Nbouet like this example were some of the most important symbols in New Caledonian culture, as they embodied chiefly authority and were used as standards during war. Size: 3.9" W x 16.8" H (9.9 cm x 42.7 cm); 17.5" H (44.4 cm) on included custom stand.

According to the curatorial team at the Museum of New Zealand, "Known in French as 'haches ostensoirs', these ceremonial axes were among the most highly prized items of Kanak customary wealth. They are said to be symbols of chiefs, were used in ceremonies and as standards in warfare. Some sources claim that these axes represent the Kanak view of the cosmos. The blade represents the top of a tree or ‘upper world’ and the butt of the handle represents the Earth. The handle or trunk forms a link between the Earth and the sky, connecting physical and spiritual worlds."

For a stylistically similar example, please see The Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), registration number FE002246.

For another stylistically similar example with a larger blade, please see: Meyer, Anthony J.P. "Oceanic Art." Koneman Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Koln, 1995, p. 442, fig. 501.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private E. Mickler collection, Paris, France, acquired in 2004

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#154528

Minor fraying and loosening to some handle fibers, with chip to one attachment hole on blade head that causes the blade to lean, and slight bending to overall form of handle. Nice patina to fibers and blade.