Incising tool, of bone, coconut fibre, and iron, from Tonga; part of the Forster collection (Forster 101a; 1886.1.1320).

Tool with a bone haft and a point made from an iron nail. The nail is laid into a groove carved into one edge of the circular haft, and bound into position with a cord made from plaited coconut fibre. The bone haft measures 81 mm in length and is 15 mm in width at its widest point. The end of the nail projects 19 mm from the end of the bindings. It can probably be assumed that the nail is at least 30 or 40 mm long, as the bindings extend 40 mm back from the end of the haft

• Museum database entry.