Bowl for Coconut Milk (Apia nie), 19th-early 20th Century
Wuvulu Island, Manus Province, Papua…

Bowl (Apia Nie)

ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-bowls

Date18th to 19th Century

Made AtManus Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood

Dimensions4 15/16 × 21 3/8 × 10 13/16 in. (12.5 × 54.3 × 27.5 cm)

Credit LineJordan Community Trust Purchase

Object number2002.65.4

DescriptionAfter being grated, the fibrous meat of a coconut was wrung out over these bowls to collect their milk. As is characteristic of Micronesian art, this bowl—carved from a single piece of wood—features a minimalist aesthetic. They were used almost daily by most households on Wuvulu.

Island Oceania is divided into Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, but trade and migration have created a great deal of commonality among these cultural and geographic subregions. Despite being only 100 miles away from the coast of New Guinea, the center of Melanesian culture, most individuals on the island of Wuvulu are of Micronesian descent. Some of the earliest theories about the island’s connection to Micronesia were surmised from the use of similar shark tooth weapons to those used in the Gilbert Islands. To this day the unique functional and decorative objects produced on Wuvulu show influences from both Melanesia and Micronesia.

This particular bowl belonged to Sarah Masima, and previously her mother. It was passed down through generations from mother to daughter. The interior of the bowl shows extensive use over time.

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