953 - Hand-Fabricated, Hafted Adzes with Stone Celts and Wooden Handles Set, by Anthony Watson

Two (2) Hand-Fabricated, Hafted Adzes with Stone Celts and Wooden Handles. 

These hand crafted pieces feature handles made of buttonwood ( a non-endemic species not traditionally used in the pacific) and stone celts made from local basalt from a location in Kaimuki that was known as an adze quarry in the past for Hawaiians. The lashing is a Palauan style, done with nylon.

About the Adzes:
" I had learned adze-making when I was in Palau, and though some traditions do translate between the islands, back home the material culture surrounding adzes are a bit different. For one, back home we used giant clam shells and other mollusc shells as the primary adze celt material, as opposed to Hawaii, where basalt was preferred and was common. the shapes of the celts were different as well, but in coming to Hawaii I have wanted to meld both material and aesthetic traditions, out of practicality but also to ease dialogue between both cultures." Anthony Watson.

About the Artist:
Anthony Watson is an aspiring artist and entrepreneur. He was born in the U.S.A. but was raised in Palau. He attributes much of his art to an innate propensity that was cultivated with his exposure to the diverse cultures of Micronesia. Antony believes that art is still there, and we need to use culture to “comment on modern life.”