North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. late 19th century CE. A fabulous calabash bowl, hand-carved from the wood of a kou tree. Boasting a lustrous burnish, the gorgeous vessel presents a flat, heavy base, straight walls, and an annular rim. Rich hues of caramel and butterscotch with chocolate brown striations swirl along the natural woodgrain surface, nicely complementing the vessel's minimalist form. Size: 8.5" in diameter x 3.5" H (21.6 cm x 8.9 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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#145998
Condition
Collection label on base. A few stable pressure fissures as shown. Expected surface wear with some light scratches and abraded area on interior, commensurate with age and use. Fading to woodgrain. Otherwise, very nice with light patina.