| Native Name | Kakau Toki Poutangata |
| Object Number | P3193 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand |
| Period | Te Huringa I Period |
| Date Made | 1800 - 1900 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood | Abalone |
| Description | A kakau toki poutangata (ceremonial adze handle). The adze handle has a human figure with protruding tongue, with a manaia (spiritual guardian) extending to and biting the mouth of the figure. The manaia and human figure have pāua (abalone) shell eyes. On the opposite side, there is a carved wheku (carved face that depicts an ancestor) head. At the opposite end of the handle, there is a second wheku head. Stone tool work, northern style. 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. |
| Length | 51 cm |
| Width | 10.8 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from the J. C. Stevens Auction Rooms, 1912 |
| Other Number | 27564 - Dealer's Number | 61a - Dealer's Number |
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