An Impressive Large Hawaiian Poi Bowl, Umeke La'au Pakaka

19th century, likely koa (or kou) wood, large round squat form with slightly tapering sides, featuring four inlayed butterfly repairs in the traditional fashion along the rim.
6 1/2 x 17 in. diameter
Larger round bowl forms used for storing poi, the traditional Hawaiian staple food made from taro root that has been steamed or boiled, milled into to a paste, often served in a fairly liquid state and slightly fermented. According to Hawaiian tradition, repairs to a damaged bowl was a mark of respect, and imperfections were filled with a breadfruit-gum compound and smoothed away with pumice.

Carvers preferred the wood of the koa (or kou) tree because its grain was relatively soft and easy to cut. The bitterness in the wood was removed by soaking in sea water; the wood was further sweetened by an application of fermented taro or sweet potato. Finally, the bowl was polished with pumice or shark skin, and rubbed to a high gloss with nut oil. This coating helped waterproof the wood, extending its life.
(Source: Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology)

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Some age cracks and butterfly repairs; some paste residue visible above one butterfly.