Micronesia, Ruk-Caroline Islands, Chuuk (also Truk) Island, 19th century CE. Finely carved from a piece of sea coral, a pounder of an elegant form, used by shaman or so-called medicine men to grind herbs for healing the sick. Its form is comprised of a flat handle and a tubular neck that broadens to a generous pounding surface. Note the nice smooth areas from use on this example. Since there was a lack of stone on the Micronesian Coral Atolls, Kanakas used coral to create such pounders. An elegant example. Size: 3.375" diameter x 4.375" H (8.6 cm x 11.1 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Tad Dale collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA 1960 to 2000

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#154556

Minute nicks to peripheries presumably from use and wear. Scattered deposits grace the surface. Old collection number written on pounding surface.