Description:

North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, Oahu, Pre to Post Contact era, ca. 16th to 19th century CE. A hand carved pair of stone fishing sinkers for an octopus or squid lure known locally as a leho he'e. Both present a domed form with a flat, ovoid base and a slight indentation or groove around the center. The lure would be comprised of a large cowrie snail shell bound with twisted sennet thread to the sinker on one end, and a crescent-shaped hook fashioned from wood or bone on the opposite end. Octopus lures were used by dipping the hook into shallow water and shaking it up and down in a rhythmic motion to entice an octopus to wrap its tentacles around the hook end. The fisherman would then rapidly pull the lure upward to pierce the creature's hard beak, soft body, or one of its many tentacles. Size: 2.3" L x 1.5" W (5.8 cm x 3.8 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010

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#173828

  • Condition: Natural surface pitting to both. Nicks and chips from age and use. Light mineral encrustations. Inventory numbers on the surfaces of both.

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September 1, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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