North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. An early and exceedingly rare coral sinker for an octopus or squid lure known locally as a leho he'e. The fine stone presents a domed form with a flat, ovoid base and a vertical indentation down the center of its back formed from being tied to the rest of the lure. The lure would be comprised of a large cowrie snail shell bound with twisted sennet thread to the sinker on one end, and a crescent-shaped hook fashioned from mammal bone on the opposite end. Octopus lures were used by dipping the hook into shallow water and shaking it up and down in a rhythmic motion to entice an octopus to wrap its tentacles around the hook end. The fisherman would then rapidly pull the lure upward to pierce the creature's hard beak, soft body, or one of its many tentacles. A superb example of Hawaiian ingenuity! Size: 3.75" L x 2.75" W x 2" H (9.5 cm x 7 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#160940

Expected surface wear commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, intact and excellent.