Artifact Number:
03117
Object:
ADZE, HAFTED
Koi
Material:
Plant (hau, coconut)
Dimensions:
Origin:
Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii, Polynesia
Comments:
Wooden Adzez. Koi niu made in December of 1886 expressly for Emerson by Keoni Kaai. Emerson bought it from him for 0.50 cents in S. Pahoehoe, S. Kona. The blade is made of coconut (Cocos nucifera) shell tied with string of ilihau to handle of hau. Such adzes were formerly used for trimming the wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) wood ama, outrigger, of a canoe. Wiliwili is the best wood for the ama but on account of its scarcity of late years, hau has largely taken its place. (Emerson) Hafted adze with blade made from coconut shell. Blade length 9.5 cm; width at head 3.8 cm; width at cutting edge 4.4 cm; bevel depth 4.8 mm. Handle length 47 cm. Figure 117. (Summers)
Collection Name: J.S. Emerson Collection
Main Page Search Page