PILON penu

Reference : 6 23 2

Very fine-grained basalt stone
Dimensions: Height 15.5 cm
Presumed period ^19th century or earlier
Maupiti Island
Iles de la Société,
French Polynesia

Provenance:
Collection Anne et Jacques Kerchache (1942-2001).
Christie’s, Paris, October 29, 2008, lot 48.
Sale Pierre Bergé & Associés Collection Anne & Jacques Kerchache, June 13, 2010, lot 385.

More details

This pestle is of the classic Maupiti type and certainly made on this island. It has a very flared circular base and a T-shaped handle (restored). Harvested volcanic stone was cut and carved with a stone adze. Finishing (by abrasion, polishing being unknown in Polynesia) was probably preceded by staking the surfaces. According to ^Ropiteau1, it took a month to make a pestle in Maupiti. This type of pestle was used to crush breadfruit.
_________________________________________________________________ 1- André Ropiteau, Notes sur les iles de Maupiti, Bulletin de la Société des études Océaniennes, Vol 5, p.123. Papeete, Tahiti, December 1932.

Price: €9,500

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