Bowl
ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-bowls
Date20th Century
Made AtWest New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and pigment
Dimensions9 × 44 1/2 × 25 1/4 in. (22.9 × 113 × 64.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Danny and Anne Shih
Object number2014.15.14
DescriptionThis feast bowl is reminiscent of Tami style bowls. The large carved wooden feast bowls of the Tami Islands were part of a larger system of trade that essentially extended in the area between New Guinea and New Britain, and throughout the small island groups of the region. In turn, Tami bowls became used as bride price and were highly valuable among the occupants of this trade network. Subsequently, carving these large bowls was adopted by the people of Siassi who competed with the Tami in production. The bowls are used in marriage and other ceremonies where the exchange of food plays a central role. Bowls made for trade are carved with animal designs unrelated to a specific carver or family.On View
Not on viewCollections
20th Century
late 19th to early 20th Century
late 19th to early 20th Century
mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
19th to early 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
19th to early 20th Century