Hawaiʻi
18th century
Basalt
Length: 3¾ in. (9.5 cm); Width: 1¼ in. (3.2 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua Kona, Hawaiʻi
The koʻi is the Hawaiian stone adze, ground from basalt and used as the primary woodworking tool in pre-contact Hawaiian culture for tasks ranging from canoe construction to architectural timber work. This example is a small form, consistent with the range of adze sizes produced for detailed shaping and finishing work rather than heavy felling. The surface shows areas of reddish mineral deposit alongside the worked basalt, consistent with age and soil context.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Hawaiʻi
18th century
Basalt
Length: 3¾ in. (9.5 cm); Width: 1¼ in. (3.2 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua Kona, Hawaiʻi
The koʻi is the Hawaiian stone adze, ground from basalt and used as the primary woodworking tool in pre-contact Hawaiian culture for tasks ranging from canoe construction to architectural timber work. This example is a small form, consistent with the range of adze sizes produced for detailed shaping and finishing work rather than heavy felling. The surface shows areas of reddish mineral deposit alongside the worked basalt, consistent with age and soil context.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
