Micronesia, Ruk-Caroline Islands, Chuuk Island (formerly known as Truk), ca. 19th century CE. Finely carved from a single piece of white sea coral, a pounder of an elegant form comprised of a flat handle adorned by four equidistantly carved relief nipples and a tubular neck that broadens to a generous pounding surface. This pestle was intended for pulverizing edible roots and fruits, primarily breadfruit and taro root, into poi. The pounded substance was then blended with water into a highly nutritious paste. Traditional calabash bowls were used as containers to hold poi mixtures, and traveling royalty were accompanied by their own poi maker, with his or her own poi-making implements like this one. As there was a lack of stone on a Micronesian Coral Atoll, Kanakas used coral to create such pounders. A very fine example. Size: 3.75" in diameter x 5.875" H (9.5 cm x 14.9 cm)

Pounders like this example were regarded as heirlooms and have been found buried with their female owners due to the erosion of tombs on the atoll.

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

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#154557

Fissure across the pounding face, possibly indicative of repair from 2 large pieces. Old chips to peripheries as shown. Expected surface weathering and deposits.