North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. mid to late 19th century CE. A grandiose and gorgeous calabash bowl, skillfully hand-carved from wood of the flowering Acacia Koa tree. Interestingly, in the Hawaiian language, the word koa means "fearless warrior." Boasting a natural woodgrain surface in rich hues of caramel, chocolate, and espresso, the lovely dish presents a flat base, a wide hip, and a circular rim that gently curves inward. A lustrous burnish envelops the exterior of this fine example from Hawaiian culture! Size: 16.25" in diameter x 8.75" H (41.3 cm x 22.2 cm)
Hawaiian royalty often valued specific calabashes - even going so far as to name them after royal individuals - and until the early 19th century they were reserved for elites in society. Prior to the 19th century, they were made with stone and coral tools, carved from kou, milo, and kamani trees most commonly. Repaired calabashes like this one demonstrate signs of immense reverence - the calabash was loved enough to be repaired, and the repairs, like this one, were done with the desire to make the repair itself beautiful.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
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#145375
Condition
Collection label on base. Old repair to side completed between the 1860s and 1880s. Abraded interior commensurate with use. Some light nicks to exterior. Otherwise, excellent with light earthen deposits on interior.