Axe-ostensor gi okono

The handle is covered with a blue fabric held together by crossed ligatures creating lozenges of fiber.
It supports a large slate blade, fitted and held together by a coconut fiber ligature adorned with a braided cord of dogfish hair.
The half-coconut base is covered with tapa and attached by braided cords of dogfish hair.

This axe-ostensoir is distinguished by the addition of a large cut slate blade, a symbol of the gradual abandonment of this type of object as a means of exchange between Kanak tribes.
Lacking the sacred character of shell coins, the axe-ostensoir became a typical gift from colonial administrators at the end of the 19th century.
Henri Louit was a magistrate and justice of the peace in Bourail from 1890 to 1894. It was during his stay in New Caledonia that he collected a number of objects. This collection was exhibited at the Puntis manor house in the Gers region. After several successions and divisions, Alice Guermont donated the rest of the collection to the Musée de l’Homme. It is currently housed at the Musée du Quai Branly.

Price: €9,500