North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, ca. late 19th century CE. A sizable and splendid poi pounder, hand-carved from basalt in mottled hues of ash gray, charcoal, and black. The fine implement displays a hemispherical handle and a lengthy, slender neck to increase the gripping ability of the wielder. The hefty pounding surface is circular in form and dramatically widens downwards from the tubular neck. The neck and handle are incredibly smooth from use, while the rough pounding surface is consistent with finely aged volcanic stone. Size: 4.375" Diameter x 6.375" H (11.1 cm x 16.2 cm); 7.5" H (19 cm) on included custom stand.Poi pounders, alongside adzes, were the most important stone tools in Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands. The pounders, known locally as a "Ke'a Tuki Popoi," are used for pounding cooked taro root into poi, a staple of the islander diet. Taro root was steamed in an earthen oven, peeled using shells, and placed onto a slab of wood to be pounded. The pounded results were blended with water into a highly nutritious paste. Traditional calabash bowls were used as containers to hold poi mixtures, and traveling royalty were accompanied by their own poi maker, with his or her own poi-making implements like this one. Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #160875