Property from a Honolulu Collection
Second Stage Tapa beater, i'e kuku, Hawaiian Islands
length 14 3/4in (36.4cm)
of quadrangular shape with the handle (ku'au) tapering in the round; the four beating surfaces of equal size, one carved with lines and zigzags, another with fine longitudinal lines, the last two with deep, longitudinal grooves; fine, rich dark-brown patina with heavily worn surface indicative of age and much use.
Provenance:
Jean Charlot, Hawaii
For a discussion of tapa beaters, see Buck, Peter, "Arts & Crafts of Hawaii", Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI, 1957, pp. 169-182.
