Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Wuvulu Island (also known as Mary Island, Matty, Maty Island, Tiger Island, Tiger-Inseln and Wuwulu), ca. 19th century CE. A striking hand-carved wooden serving dish presenting a classic hourglass form known as an apia nie, traditionally used to catch coconut milk harvested by squeezing the meat of a coconut over the bowl. The vessel is carved out of a single piece of fine deep brown wood that has developed a rich patina resulting from years of exposure to the oil derived from coconut milk and age. Size: 18.2" L x 11.125" W x 3.2" H (46.2 cm x 28.3 cm x 8.1 cm)

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "The unique hourglass-shaped bowls, or apia nie, created on the islands of Wuvulu and Aua embody the spare, minimalist aesthetic of Micronesian art. Still made today, apia nie are used specifically to collect coconut milk, extracted by squeezing balls of grated coconut meat over the bowl. The wide shallow ends of the bowls curve gently downward toward the deeper center, in which the freshly squeezed liquid collects. Despite their apparent delicacy, apia nie are everyday vessels in widespread use. Many older examples develop a distinctive glossy patina through years of contact with the oil in the coconut milk. In most cases, the form of the vessel, as here, serves as its only adornment, but the interiors of some examples are painted with linear geometric designs."

See a similar example in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number 1979.206.1428).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Dr. Gallagher collection, Sydney, Australia, acquired in 2018

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#154577

Stabilization to one large fissure from midsection to one edge, with very light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor abrasions to base, peripheries, and basin, with several stable hairline fissures, otherwise intact and excellent. Gorgeous patina throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.