Coconut Grating Stool

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-stools

Date20th Century

Made AtFederated States of Micronesia

MediumWood and metal

DimensionsStool with blade: 17 × 24 3/4 × 12 1/2 in. (43.2 × 62.9 × 31.8 cm)
Stool: 17 × 23 1/2 × 12 1/2 in. (43.2 × 59.7 × 31.8 cm)
Blade: 4 1/16 × 1 7/8 in. (10.3 × 4.8 cm)

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

Object number2020.6.1a,b

DescriptionCoconut grating stools were dual purpose seats and graters used to shred the meat inside coconuts. The stools typically have a serrated piece of shell or other type of sharp material that was used to assist in this process. While many known examples of these stools were made in Nukuoro, similar pieces were crafted throughout Micronesia for the same purpose. The minimalistic carving seen in this stool is typical of Nukuoro and are considered staples of Micronesian culture to the degree that they have been described as “characteristically Micronesian.” That this stool was collected in Pohnpei may speak to any number of factors including an increase in trade throughout the 20th century.

On View

On view