**First Time At Auction**
North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, ca. 19th century CE. A massive platter carved from a single piece of wood into a ovoid shape for serving poi, enough for a feast. The smoothly carved surface boasts a lovely patina from years of use, showcasing a beautiful natural woodgrain. Hawaii is renowned for its finely carved vessels, many of which are made of native hardwoods. In traditional Hawaiian culture, cooked taro root was pounded into poi, a staple of their diet. Taro root was steamed in an earthen oven, peeled using shells, and placed onto a slab of wood like this one to be pounded. The pounded results were blended with water to form a highly nutritious paste. It is possible that this dish would have been used at a luau feast, which takes its name from the Hawaiian word for the taro leaf. Size: 35.25" L x 22" W x 5" H (89.5 cm x 55.9 cm x 12.7 cm); 42" H (106.7 cm) on included custom stand.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.
Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#177425
Condition
Repairs to fissures and gouges with modern infill. Two large fissures with infill radiating across interior. Old inactive insect bore holes and minor chips. Beautiful patina throughout.