PoHslmig the Utiickc. 



165 



at this and polishing a little on that, that it is really a notable event when he has 

 finished an3'thing. He then goes a fishing, or gives a hula to his friends. 



While it is true that the outside is first finished, that does not mean that the 

 polish is complete, but ovAy that the form is determined and a smooth surface that is 

 to be the final one before polishing, for from this the artisan determines the extent to 

 which the interior is to be dug out. The interior w-as made beautifully smooth for 

 cleanliness in use rather than for appearance, and when this was satisfactory the 

 finer polish of the outside was taken in hand. 



FIG. 150. UMEKE OF UNUSUAL FORM: NUS. 475, 440 AXIJ II43. 



The order has been often stated in which the stones of various kinds were used, 

 but there was no rule in practice that was generallj- followed : each man had his own 

 way of doing his work and it would vary with the wood he was polishing. Fine coral 

 {^pund)^ poliakii cicku a rather soft, brittle stone, rough pumice or ««^ ^rt/// (baked 

 pumice), olai^ oio and laii iihi or dried breadfruit leaves were all used in about this 

 succession on the finest work, although welu of kapa smeared with ochre often followed 

 or took the place of the breadfruit leaves. The patient application of whatever medium 

 was the secret of the beautiful finish of the best of the old umeke. 



The ancient hand-made bowls are verj- uncommon now^, although the turner 

 makes tolerable imitations and applies French polish in a way unknown to the old 

 natives, but which suits the taste of modern customers. It is seldom that one sees the 

 fine curves of the old bowls in these modern mechanical imitations, and the makers seem 

 to recognize their shortcomings when they put in patches and make cracks only to fill 

 them again and thus impart a flavor of antique art where the age and art are both wanting. 



[349] 



