Tahitian, Society Islands, French Polynesia; basalt likely quarried on Raiatea
18th century or earlier
Basalt
Length: 9¼ in. (23.5 cm); width: 1¾ in. (4.4 cm)
Provenance: Donald Stanley Marshall, Salem, MA
The toki, or adze blade, was a primary woodworking tool across the Society Islands, used for canoe construction, timber shaping, and general carpentry. Raiatea, known in Polynesian tradition as Hawaiki, was a significant source of fine-grained basalt used for adze production. This example is dated to the 18th century or earlier and carries provenance through Donald Stanley Marshall, a Pacific scholar associated with the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
The blade is ground to a broad wedge-shaped profile, tapering from a thick butt to a sharp working edge. Its slightly curved cross-section is suited to hafting, and an old collection label remains on the surface. The basalt is dense and even-grained throughout, with no evidence of later alteration to the form.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Tahitian, Society Islands, French Polynesia; basalt likely quarried on Raiatea
18th century or earlier
Basalt
Length: 9¼ in. (23.5 cm); width: 1¾ in. (4.4 cm)
Provenance: Donald Stanley Marshall, Salem, MA
The toki, or adze blade, was a primary woodworking tool across the Society Islands, used for canoe construction, timber shaping, and general carpentry. Raiatea, known in Polynesian tradition as Hawaiki, was a significant source of fine-grained basalt used for adze production. This example is dated to the 18th century or earlier and carries provenance through Donald Stanley Marshall, a Pacific scholar associated with the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
The blade is ground to a broad wedge-shaped profile, tapering from a thick butt to a sharp working edge. Its slightly curved cross-section is suited to hafting, and an old collection label remains on the surface. The basalt is dense and even-grained throughout, with no evidence of later alteration to the form.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
