RUATANGAEO HERMINETTE MANGAIA, COOK ISLANDS Made of wood, stone and plant fibres H.: 32.5 cm (12³?? in.) From Ruatangaeo, Mangaia, Cook Islands Provenance: Collection of Jean-Jacques Rotthier (1932–2009), Brussels, then passed down through the family  This adze, adorned with finely carved geometric decoration and featuring an openwork base, exemplifies a remarkable synthesis of utilitarian function and sacred significance. In the beliefs of the island of Mangaia, such objects were not regarded as mere tools, but as ruatangaeo, that is to say, the descendants of carved deities. The term ruatangaeo literally means ‘kingfisher’s nest’, a poetic name referring to the characteristic square openings cut into the handle. The aesthetic refinement of the ruatangaeo emphasises its role as a spiritual instrument. Beyond their ceremonial function, these adzes were believed to possess genuine power over the forces of nature: it was believed that by symbolically blocking all the openings in the base, a priest could ‘bind’ the winds and calm the storms, thereby ensuring the safety of fishermen at sea. The fine, repetitive ‘shark’s tooth’ motifs (tiki tiki tangata) covering the surface of the object act as a form of visual invocation, reinforcing its association with ancestral protection and divine power. A RUATANGAEO MANGAIA, COOK ISLANDS Wood, stone and plant fibre H.: 12³?? in. Provenance: 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.