Adze, Polynesia. Monoxyle angled wooden handle in the shape of a 7. A cut stone blade, with numerous chips and chips, is inserted into the short part of the handle. The heel of the blade is held in place by a special recess in the handle. To hold it in place, the blade is tied with a cord made from plant fibres, probably coconut fibre. The first ligature rests on the short end of the handle. A second ligature encircles the heel of the blade. A final ligature runs diagonally across the base of the handle bend. The adze is the main tool in Oceania and serves as a means of identification. The shape of the handle and blade link this piece to the Polynesian area (perhaps Wallis/'Uvea? or Fijdi?). In the first case, the adze is referred to as a "toki" or "to'i", a generic term for the languages of the Polynesian archipelagos. If it belongs to the Fiji Islands, it is called "matau vatu". While some adzes have no technical use and are therefore sacred insignia, the size of the handle and the condition of the blade of this adze indicate that it was more of an everyday tool (possibly a sculptor's adze). Smooth, honey-coloured patina. Minor dents to the handle. Unknown Polynesian population (Wallis/'Uvea or Fiji Islands?), Polynesia (Oceania). Dimensions: 37 x 14.5cm. Estimated dating: 20th century (First half to earlier?) Provenance : - French private collection (Puy-de-Dôme), by descent Corpus for matching; Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac (Paris) : - from the Polynesian area: 71.1950.30.512.1-2; 71.1950.30.510.1-2 - Wallis ('Uvea): 71.1933.51.4 - from Fiji: 71.1881.69.4.1-2 Selective bibliography: * HERMANN, Aymeric, 2024. "Te toki, l'herminette polynésienne : un fait social total" in CAUWE, Nicolas (dir.), Trésors de Polynésie, Éditions du Cedarc, Treignes, (Belgique) : pp.42-48 * ORLIAC, Michel, 1997. "Haches et herminettes océaniennes" in NOTTER, Annick [ed.], 1997. La Découverte du paradis. Oceania. Curieux, navigateurs et savants, Paris, Somogy, pp. 84-86. Expert: Nicolas CORIGLIANO - Cabinet Corail & Mana