Description:

North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. 1880s CE. A fabulous bowl for eating poi, hand-carved from the wood of a kou tree. Boasting a glistening burnish, the gorgeous vessel exhibits a flat, circular base, a bulbous body, a brief neck, and an annular, flared rim. Rich hues of caramel and chocolate brown swirl along the natural woodgrain surface. A fine example from Hawaiian culture! Size: 5.125" W x 3.875" H (13 cm x 9.8 cm)

Native to coastal regions of the Hawaiian islands, Kou can grow up to 25 feet across and 50 feet tall. The majority of the tree population was destroyed by moths in the 1800s, making it a rare delicacy. Kou was prized by Hawaiian royalty for food vessels due to both the beauty of its wood grain and its inability to corrupt the taste of food.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#146011

  • Condition: Old repairs along 2 fissures. A few nicks to exterior and abraded area on interior, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, very nice.

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June 3, 2021 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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