Early 20th C. Fijian Wood Tanoa Kava Bowl with 6 Legs

Lot 28d

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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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Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM by Artemis Fine Arts

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Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa F...

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

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Lot Description

Oceania, Polynesia, Fiji, possibly Lau, ca. early 20th century CE. A finely hand-carved wooden yaqona (kava) bowl, or tanoa, supported on six sturdy cylindrical legs radiating from the deep, rounded basin. Hewn from a single block of dense tropical hardwood, the bowl's broad, flattened rim tapers gracefully into the concave interior, its surface burnished to a rich, dark patina from age and traditional use. The exterior features a small pair of drilled lug holes at one end, once used for attaching a braided coconut-fiber cord so the vessel could be suspended or carried. In Fijian culture, the tanoa was the central vessel in the preparation and communal serving of yaqona, a mildly narcotic drink made from the pounded root of the Piper methysticum plant. Ceremonies involving yaqona were, and remain, integral to chiefly councils, diplomatic gatherings, and ritual observances, with the bowl serving as both a utilitarian tool and a potent symbol of hospitality, alliance, and respect. Size: 10" Diameter x 4.24" H (25.4 cm x 10.8 cm)

The number of legs and the quality of the carving could signify the status of the owner, and multi-legged forms such as this were highly valued. This example's robust proportions, fine patina, and well-preserved form attest to its early 20th century craftsmanship, while its time-worn surface speaks to decades of ceremonial service. Pieces of this quality and age are sought after not only as ethnographic artifacts but also as enduring expressions of Fijian artistry and social tradition.

Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, purchased in March 1996; ex-Taylor Dale Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-collection of Christopher Hemeter via Tom Holland

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#196425

Condition

Some minor scuffs and nicks, commensurate with age, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with smooth surfaces and rich patina.
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