**Originally Listed At $1200**

Oceania, Micronesia, Mortlock Island, ca. mid to late 19th century CE. A sturdy wooden axe used to harvest taro with a handle carved from lightweight wood and a blade formed from the carapace of a turtle. The handle is long and slender and boasts a thin panel comprised of two parallel columns of grooved triangular forms. The blade has a trio of small circular perforations and is secured to the top of the handle with a tightly-wrapped cord made from sennit fibers. Taro is a staple in Polynesian and Micronesian cultures, and its successful cultivation is the result of centuries of arduous labor and agricultural prowess. Size: 6.375" W x 18.3" H (16.2 cm x 46.5 cm).

Note: Export of this item will require a CITES permit and may delay shipment.

For a similar example, please see the Auckland Art Gallery, accession number 2014.18.13; 55592: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_humanhistory-object-660675?c=ecrm%3AE22_Man-Made_Object&k=axe&dept=Pacific%2FEthnology&mat=fibre&ordinal=0

Provenance: private Hawaii, 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.

#136649

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, small nicks to blade and handle, with some darkening and normal age wear to carapace blade, and light roughness along blade surfaces. Light earthen deposits throughout. Handle has great smooth patina.