Prestige Bowl (purukei), c. 1900
Unknown artist, Admiralty Islandsexpand_more
Woodexpand_more
The Christina N. and Swan J. Turnblad Memorial Fundexpand_more 2001.130.3
On View in Gallery 256expand_more
In the Admiralty Islands, prestige bowls were carried as part of wedding processions through the village with other dowry gifts, and used to hold coconut oil at the bridal feast. The bowl was expertly sculpted from one large block of wood on Lou, one of the smaller islands in the Admiralty group, and traded from there. The handles, made separately and attached with nut paste, are purely ornamental. The bowl may represent a spirit ship - the handles are similar in style to the decorative prow and stern of ceremonial canoes.
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- Title
- Prestige Bowl (purukei)
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2001.130.3
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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