Lot 31
Oceania, Polynesia, Hawaii, Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), ca. 19th century CE. A warm, honey-brown Hawaiian low bowl, expertly carved from a single piece of prized kou wood, its smooth surface revealing rich swirling grain patterns accentuated by age and long use. The vessel's rounded body is balanced by a thick, gently flaring rim, conforming to the classic Polynesian form noted by anthropologist Kenneth Emory, who observed that this type of low, wide-mouthed bowl with a thick rim was likely brought to Hawaii by the earliest Polynesian settlers. Its proportions - with a rim diameter far exceeding its height - made it ideal for communal serving and preparation of poi or other staple foods. The patina tells the story of generations of use, with subtle sheen from handling and a graceful network of age cracks. Size: 14" Diameter x 6.9" H (35.6 cm x 17.5 cm)
Notably, historic repairs in the form of inset wooden patches, pegged and fitted with care, attest to the value placed on this vessel and the Hawaiian tradition of preserving essential and esteemed objects for continued use. Low bowls such as this were made in a range of sizes, from small personal dishes to large communal vessels, and were treasured both for their function and for the beauty of their kou wood, which was especially prized for not imparting a bitter taste to food. This example, with its elegant simplicity and historic repairs, is a rare survivor from the 19th century, encapsulating Hawaiian artistry, resourcefulness, and cultural continuity.
Exhibited: into the woods, is perpetual youth..., May-July 2023 Hands-On Curatorial exhibition at the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired November 19, 2002; ex-Economos Works of Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, purchased August 13, 1992; ex-Bill Hawn collection; ex-private Kamuela, Big Island, Hawaii, USA collection
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#196382
- Condition: Several old repairs and one new repair done to old repair. Some old nicks, chips, and abrasions, as well as small areas of old, inactive insect damage. Patina to surface.
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