Grinding Stone
20284
From: New Zealand | South Island, New Zealand | Otago | Whareakeake
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Native Name | Kuru Kōkōwai |
| Object Number | 20284 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand | South Island, New Zealand | Otago | Whareakeake |
| Period | Te Puawaitanga Period |
| Date Made | 1500-1800 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Stone |
| Description | A kuru kōkōwai (grinding stone) made of stone. The grinding stone is ovoid, pitted, and red in color. A kuru kōkōwai is a grinding stone used to prepare red hematite into a fine powder. Kōkōwai was used for a wide range of purposes, including painting wooden objects and dyeing flax during weaving. Based on a note from Enrico H. Giglioli, the object's source, this stone was held between the feet. |
| Length | 8 cm |
| Width | 5 cm |
| Credit Line | Exchange with Henry H. Giglioli, 1897 |
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.