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THB19th C. Fijian Wood Footed Kava Bowl - Yaqona Ritual
Lot 29a
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,500 - $2,500
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Polynesia, Fiji, Viti Levu, ca. mid-19th century CE. A finely carved wooden kava bowl (tanoa or daveniyaqona) supported on four sturdy, tapered legs, pierced at one end for a suspension cord to hang when not in use. Crafted from a single piece of dense hardwood and polished to a rich, dark patina through long handling and ceremonial use, the vessel exemplifies the functional elegance of traditional Fijian artistry. In Fiji, the preparation and presentation of yaqona (kava) was, and remains, a central component of ceremonial and chiefly life. Once, the root of the Piper methysticum plant was chewed, mixed with water in such bowls, and strained; today it is pounded and filtered through hibiscus bark fiber. The quality of the brew depends upon the skill of the maker, and ritual protocol governs its consumption. The first cup is always presented to the highest-ranking male, who pours a small libation onto the earth in honor of the gods before drinking. Size: 13.3" Diameter x 4" H (33.8 cm x 10.2 cm)
Thereafter, the cup is passed in strict order of rank among the gathered participants. This vessel's classic four-legged design and suspension holes are hallmarks of Fijian kava bowls, which were indispensable in both political and religious gatherings. It stands as a tangible link to the deep-rooted customs of respect, hierarchy, and hospitality that define Fijian society.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Taylor "Tad" Dale, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Skip Holbrook, purchased in country antique show in Nashville, Tennessee, USA in February 1996
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#196356Chipping to one foot and small area of rim, as well as expected weathering to surface and minor scratch on interior. Otherwise, intact and excellent with rich patina and smooth surfaces.Condition
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