Oceania, Polynesia, Fiji Islands, 19th century CE. An extremely rare Fijian ladle, with a hand-carved wooden handle that is finely and extensively incised with narrow bands of countless abstract geometric motifs and a rare coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica) shell scoop with brown exterior pigment. A beautiful ladle like this was most likely used for serving and/or drinking kava (kava or kava kava in Tongan; yaqona, pronounced yanggona, in Fijian) during ceremonial rituals. Kava was made from the stems and roots of the pepper bush Piper methysticum mixed with water. By the 18th century, the Tongan practice of kava preparation - a chief's ritual - spread to eastern and coastal Fiji. Size: 23.2" L x 5.1" W (58.9 cm x 13 cm); 24.125" H (61.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Please note, according to the current owner, the coconut of this ladle only exists in the Seychelles Islands (off the eastern coast of Africa). How this unique coconut shell got from the Seychelles Islands to Fiji is a mystery. Perhaps it came with a western ship sailing to Fiji, or perhaps it simply drifted across the ocean.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Bonhams, New York "Fine African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art" auction (May 12, 2011, part of lot 2039); ex-William Kranzler collection, Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford Massachusetts, USA
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#154582
Condition
Minor nicks and encrustations to coconut scoop, with light abrasions to handle, otherwise intact and near-choice. Great remains of pigment on scoop exterior, and beautiful patina across handle. Old inventory label on tip of scoop exterior.