North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. early 20th century CE. A beautiful bowl for eating poi, hand-carved from the wood of a kou tree. Boasting a glistening burnish, the gorgeous vessel exhibits a ring-form foot, a bulbous body, a brief neck, and an annular, flared rim. Rich hues of caramel and toffee with chocolate brown striations swirl along the natural woodgrain surface, nicely complementing the vessel's elegant form. A fine example from Hawaiian culture! Size: 4.5" in diameter x 3.625" H (11.4 cm x 9.2 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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#146005
Condition
Collection label on base. Expected nicks and scratches with abraded area to interior, all commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, very nice with light patina.