Tahitian, Society Islands, French Polynesia
Early 19th century
Wood
Height: 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); Length: 47 in. (119.4 cm)
Provenance: Wayne Heathcote, Cambridge, UK; private collection, New Zealand
The umete is a class of wooden vessel found across the Society Islands, with forms ranging from domestic food bowls to ceremonially significant containers used in chiefly and ritual contexts. Adrienne Kaeppler's discussion of comparable examples in the Blackburn Collection identifies related bowls as possible umete raʻau moa, used for mixing and consecrating herbal preparations on the marae, or as dedicated ʻava bowls. The scale and elongated form of this example, combined with its early date, are consistent with a vessel intended for ceremonial rather than everyday domestic use.
The bowl is carved from a single piece of hardwood and raised on three short rounded feet, the interior hollowed to a smooth, even surface. The wood has developed a deep brown patina across the full surface through age and handling. The piece carries double provenance through Wayne Heathcote of Cambridge, a recognized specialist in Oceanic material, and a subsequent private collection in New Zealand.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Tahitian, Society Islands, French Polynesia
Early 19th century
Wood
Height: 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); Length: 47 in. (119.4 cm)
Provenance: Wayne Heathcote, Cambridge, UK; private collection, New Zealand
The umete is a class of wooden vessel found across the Society Islands, with forms ranging from domestic food bowls to ceremonially significant containers used in chiefly and ritual contexts. Adrienne Kaeppler's discussion of comparable examples in the Blackburn Collection identifies related bowls as possible umete raʻau moa, used for mixing and consecrating herbal preparations on the marae, or as dedicated ʻava bowls. The scale and elongated form of this example, combined with its early date, are consistent with a vessel intended for ceremonial rather than everyday domestic use.
The bowl is carved from a single piece of hardwood and raised on three short rounded feet, the interior hollowed to a smooth, even surface. The wood has developed a deep brown patina across the full surface through age and handling. The piece carries double provenance through Wayne Heathcote of Cambridge, a recognized specialist in Oceanic material, and a subsequent private collection in New Zealand.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
