Description:

Polynesia, Hawaii, ca. mid 19th century CE. A beautiful example of a kou wood umeke, an honored vessel for eating poi. This example is carved in the Lahaina-Maui style. The interior is a smooth, painted black, while the exterior is polished to show the beautiful colors of the wood. Hawaiian royalty often valued specific calabashes - even going so far as to name them after royal individuals - and until the early 19th century they were reserved for elites in society. Prior to the 19th century, they were made from stone and coral tools, carved from kou, milo, and kamani trees most commonly. Size: 8" W x 5.15" H (20.3 cm x 13.1 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#148247

  • Condition: Stabilized hairline fissure from rim down to base on one side. Otherwise in excellent condition with very light scratching commensurate with age.

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October 3, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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