Kava Cup (Bilo Ni Yaqona)
ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-drinking vessels-cups
Date20th Century
Made AtFiji
Collection SiteSuva, Fiji
MediumCoconut shell
Dimensions1 3/4 × 4 1/2 × 4 5/8 in. (4.4 × 11.4 × 11.7 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2019.7.4
DescriptionThis is a Fijian coconut shell cup for kava, yaqona in the Fijian vernacular. A drink made from the root of the kava pepper tree was consumed at almost every traditional Fijian feast. Multiple bowls are used for the preparation and consumption of the drink. These shell cups were used for individual consumptions. Generally, there would be one or two shared cups and certain high-ranking individuals such as chiefs would have their own coconut shell cups. Some cups also had either carved wooden handles, or a woven coir grip attached through holes in the rim of the cup. These cups are relatively unadorned but have all the characteristic patination of cups that were used for authentic purposes.On View
On viewCollections
20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
late 19th to early 20th Century
