North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A beautiful example of a wooden goblet or calabash - a serving bowl named for the gourd that it resembles, though it is made from inherently beautiful Hawaiian hardwood with a natural woodgrain surface in hues of caramel and butterscotch. This elegant example exhibits a deep bowl with thin walls that gently curve inward to an annular rim, all sitting upon a conical foot. Its petite size is a rare variation, as these vessels are often used for buffets. Size: 3.875" in diameter x 4.125" H (9.8 cm x 10.5 cm)

Hawaiian royalty traditionally valued specific calabashes - even going so far as to name them after royal individuals - and until the early 19th century they were reserved for elites in society. Prior to the 19th century, they were made with stone and coral tools, carved from kou, milo, and kamani trees most commonly. Repaired calabashes like this one demonstrate signs of immense reverence - the calabash was loved enough to be repaired, and the repairs, like this one, were done with the desire to make the repair itself beautiful.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii, USA, 1960-2000

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#166521

Collection label on base. Old repair to side. Base has 4 drill holes. Otherwise, excellent.