Patiti, D35.1443

Whalebone patiti handle, pressure cut in distal end has broken bone wedge sitting in cavity for splaying out to hold axe head in place. Rectangular rear section of distal end cut out from top rear of distal point to create L shaped removal, concave shaped cut leading from top of ' L' cut to top mid point with 30 degree angle cut running out to other edge from mid point. Koruru style head with flat proximal end, tongue running back from middle point of upper jaw. Perforations either side of tongue initially drilled out and then abraded to shape.
Perforation in centre above head drilled from both sides. Discoloured in places with two natural cavities running with grain from rear distal end. Front side of handle runs straight to distal end but other side of handle gradually tapers out from neck to create a shoulder beneath sectionally removed cut.

Locality North Island

Locality: New Zealand