Tray

ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-trays

Artist Chuerbalau

Datemid 20th Century

Made AtPalau

Collection SitePalau

MediumWood

Dimensions1 3/4 × 8 × 14 in. (4.4 × 20.3 × 35.6 cm)

Credit LineGift of Frieda O. Wray from the Estate of Dr. & Mrs. Douglas and Carolyn Osborne

Object number2019.17.38

DescriptionThis is a wooden tray collected on the island country of Palau in 1969. In the Palauan vernacular, a dachelbai is a man who is skilled in creating things by hand, such as fashioning trays out of wood. Traditionally, freshly cooked fish would be served on these long plates and garnished with an assortment of other local delicacies; such as taro slices or boiled squash. Cooked fish is prepared by wrapping freshly caught fish in coconut fronds and smoking them over the household’s hearth fire. It was considered forbidden to consume raw fish or specific fish referred as totem fish. According to the donor, this tray was crafted by a Palauan woodcarver named Chuerbalau.

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