Hawaiian
18th century
Basalt (volcanic)
Diameter: 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
The pōhaku pāʻani is a ground stone ball associated with traditional Hawaiian games and recreational activity, objects that occupied a documented place in Hawaiian social and communal life. Stone balls of this type are seldom encountered in the market and are underrepresented in the published literature relative to other Hawaiian stone tool categories. This example dates to the eighteenth century and comes from a private collection on the Kona coast.
The ball is ground from dense volcanic basalt to a consistent spherical form, the surface retaining the open vesicular texture characteristic of Hawaiian basalt throughout. The regularity of the form indicates deliberate and sustained abrasion work to achieve a usable playing weight and shape. No evidence of later alteration is present.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Hawaiian
18th century
Basalt (volcanic)
Diameter: 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
The pōhaku pāʻani is a ground stone ball associated with traditional Hawaiian games and recreational activity, objects that occupied a documented place in Hawaiian social and communal life. Stone balls of this type are seldom encountered in the market and are underrepresented in the published literature relative to other Hawaiian stone tool categories. This example dates to the eighteenth century and comes from a private collection on the Kona coast.
The ball is ground from dense volcanic basalt to a consistent spherical form, the surface retaining the open vesicular texture characteristic of Hawaiian basalt throughout. The regularity of the form indicates deliberate and sustained abrasion work to achieve a usable playing weight and shape. No evidence of later alteration is present.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
