North Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, ca. 18th century CE. A large and hefty hand-carved wood poi pounding board known as a "papa ku'i'ai" displaying an elongated rectangular form with rounded edges and a deeply carved out basin. The shape is similar to a canoe, with thick hulls at either end, the extra weight ideal for anchoring this mortar in place when mashing up taro roots into poi. Preparing and serving poi was crucial part of Hawaiian culture - after steaming, the taro root was placed in a wooden pounding bowl such as this to be mashed by a stone pestle, and perhaps later served in this or a similar vessel during a feast. This example shows significant signs of use and has a lovely, aged patina throughout the natural graining. Size: 27" L x 10.25" W x 6.5" H (68.6 cm x 26 cm x 16.5 cm)
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection
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#148504
Condition
Old losses, as shown, these areas are smooth from age. Stable pressure fissures throughout. Chips and surface abrasions from more recent times, but overall nice condition with a lustrous and dark patina.