Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then by descent

This pedestal adze, with its intricate geometric carvings and perforated base, represents a sophisticated synthesis of utilitarian form and sacred function. In Mangaian belief, such objects were not merely tools but were regarded as ruatangaeo—descendants of carved deities. The term ruatangaeo translates literally as “kingfisher’s nest,” a poetic reference to the distinctive square apertures piercing the haft.

The aesthetic refinement of the ruatangaeo underscores its role as a spiritual instrument. Beyond their ceremonial display, these adzes were believed to possess profound ecological agency: by symbolically plugging all the openings in the pedestal, a priest could “bind” the winds and quell violent storms, thereby ensuring the safety of fishermen at sea. The fine, repetitive “shark-tooth” patterns (tiki tiki tangata) covering the surface function as a visual litany, reinforcing the object’s association with ancestral protection and divine power.