19th C. Fijian Wood Cannibal Fork w/ Great Patina

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Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 4, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-06-04 10:00:00 2020-06-04 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-5185
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• Lot Description
  Oceania, Polynesia, Fiji Islands, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful yet macabre memento from the days of tribally endorsed cannibalism, this hand-carved wooden fork was employed by servants or slaves to feed morsels of human flesh to rulers or religious leaders deemed too holy to physically handle their own food. The ovoid wooden handle is enclosed with trios of incised ringlets with a similar design for the pommel end, and a quartet of slender prongs project upwards from the shoulder. Though the prongs do not touch, their tight grouping enabled the servants to pluck only the most desirable portions for their master to consume. An intricately carved example enveloped in rich patina. Size: 1.1" W x 14.75" H (2.8 cm x 37.5 cm); 16" H (40.6 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  The Fijian cannibal fork, known locally as an "iculanibokola," became a symbolic means of displaying one's power over those they ruled over or controlled. The more elaborate the utensil, the greater the influence one had over those around them. Despite the morbid reality of cannibalism, it was not as prevalent a practice as one would believe. Chieftains would generally only consume members of rival tribes captured in battle, and would associate doing so as a component of important post-conflict ceremonial meals and celebrations.
  
  For a stylistically similar example with a less ornate handle, please see the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, object number 18199A.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Serge Schoffel collection, Paris, France, acquired in 2014
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #154537

  Condition

  Repairs to one full prong and tip of a second prong, with light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor abrasions, a couple of stable hairline fissures, and very light encrustations within some recessed areas. Smooth surface texture and fabulous patina throughout.
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