Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Oceanic (2)

Rare and wonderful kava bowl in the stylized form of a turtle, Fiji, early 20th century, all hand crafted, with soft lustrous and dark finish. Measures 19" head to tail, 14" wide, and varies in height from 4 1/4" to 4 3/8". Kava bowls are ceremonial throughout areas of Oceanic cultures, with Fiji, Tonga, and Solomon Islands being the centers for such items. Typically cut from ironwood, they are made from one solid piece of wood, and are finished and polished with palm or coconut oils, giving...

Early 20th century hand carved kava bowl, Tonga or Fiji, with four tapered round legs, and a stylized head on one side with holes for attaching a cord for hanging, very deep and satiny patina, chisel marks over much of the surface, hard wood with nice figural elements. Within the culture it is referred to as a tanoa. Measures 14 3/4" across and is 5 3/4" high...