Material: Basalt
Date: 18th century
Height: 6 1/4"
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua Kona HI
Note: A rarely seen type of Hawaiian artifact
The Hawaiian stone bait mortar is a remarkably rare and seldom-encountered artifact from ancient Hawaiian material culture, dating to the 18th century. Carved from dense volcanic basalt, this exceptional example stands 6¼ inches in height and demonstrates the extraordinary skill of Hawaiian stone craftsmen. Bait mortars were used by Hawaiian fishermen to grind and prepare bait, reflecting the central role that fishing played in Hawaiian daily life and sustenance. The ocean was not merely a food source but a deeply sacred space in Hawaiian culture, and the tools associated with fishing carried significant spiritual meaning. The careful hollowing and shaping of basalt into a functional mortar required considerable time, expertise, and intimate knowledge of the stone's properties. Originating from a private collection in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaiʻi, a region historically renowned for its rich fishing traditions, this bait mortar represents a truly exceptional and rare survivor of ancient Hawaiian material culture.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand
Material: Basalt
Date: 18th century
Height: 6 1/4"
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua Kona HI
Note: A rarely seen type of Hawaiian artifact
The Hawaiian stone bait mortar is a remarkably rare and seldom-encountered artifact from ancient Hawaiian material culture, dating to the 18th century. Carved from dense volcanic basalt, this exceptional example stands 6¼ inches in height and demonstrates the extraordinary skill of Hawaiian stone craftsmen. Bait mortars were used by Hawaiian fishermen to grind and prepare bait, reflecting the central role that fishing played in Hawaiian daily life and sustenance. The ocean was not merely a food source but a deeply sacred space in Hawaiian culture, and the tools associated with fishing carried significant spiritual meaning. The careful hollowing and shaping of basalt into a functional mortar required considerable time, expertise, and intimate knowledge of the stone's properties. Originating from a private collection in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaiʻi, a region historically renowned for its rich fishing traditions, this bait mortar represents a truly exceptional and rare survivor of ancient Hawaiian material culture.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand
