Ruatangaeo (Hafted Adze)

Ruatangaeo. Hafted adze. Consists of carved rakau (wooden) handle and toki (stone adze blade). Haft is carved from rakau, intricately carved with a squared pedestal base. Top of the haft carved out to accommodate the fitting of toki. A piece of shark skin covers the top which would otherwise be open. Puru akari (braided coconut sennit) of a fine weave lashed on to the top of the haft. K-form carving motifs (signature Mangaian carving motif) carved onto the rakau pedestal, among other geometric motifs. Toki is able to be separated from haft. Carved from dark coloured toka (stone). Trapezoidal cross-section with dull cutting edge. Prominent shoulder. Polished at the blade, left rough and pecked at the butt and poll.