Tahiti, Society Islands, Polynesia
Early 19th century
Wood
Height 8.75 in / 22.2 cm; Length 47 in / 119.4 cm
Provenance: Wayne Heathcote, Cambridge, UK; Private collection, New Zealand
This large Tahitian umete bowl relates to the ceremonial and ritual vessel traditions of the Society Islands. According to Adrienne Kaeppler’s discussion of the Blackburn Collection, comparable bowls may have served as medicine bowls, or ‘umete ra‘au moa, used for mixing and consecrating herbal preparations on the marae, or as special ‘ava bowls. Its elongated form, scale, and early date place it within a significant Polynesian vessel tradition connected to ritual use, preparation, and chiefly ceremonial practice.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Tahiti, Society Islands, Polynesia
Early 19th century
Wood
Height 8.75 in / 22.2 cm; Length 47 in / 119.4 cm
Provenance: Wayne Heathcote, Cambridge, UK; Private collection, New Zealand
This large Tahitian umete bowl relates to the ceremonial and ritual vessel traditions of the Society Islands. According to Adrienne Kaeppler’s discussion of the Blackburn Collection, comparable bowls may have served as medicine bowls, or ‘umete ra‘au moa, used for mixing and consecrating herbal preparations on the marae, or as special ‘ava bowls. Its elongated form, scale, and early date place it within a significant Polynesian vessel tradition connected to ritual use, preparation, and chiefly ceremonial practice.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
