Ceremonial Adze

A toki poutangata (ceremonial adze) made of a carved wooden handle and pounamu (greenstone) blade. The adze handle has a wheku (carved face that depicts an ancestor) figure with three-fingered hands, an outstretched tongue, and eyes inlaid with pāua (abalone) shell. There is a human face on the shaft, under the blade. The narrow, elongated, pounamu blade is bound to the handle with a dogskin and plant fiber cord. At the proximal end of the handle, there is a carved face with a circular perforation above it. A tau (wrist cord) would be strung through the perforation.

A toki poutangata is a ceremonial adze that is used by a rangatira (chief) or person with a high rank and is a symbol of authority. It could also be used in battle, though the primary function is ceremonial. The blade would be made of pounamu (greenstone) with a finely carved wooden handle.