Fijian Kava Bowl & Cup-Polynesian Art-Oceanic Tribal Art
This is a rarer type of Fijian kava bowl of lenticular form called “draunibaka” that one can read about in Valentin Boissonnas’ essay added to the website this month. The bowl and cup are fine and rare 19th examples originally in the collection of the Fiji Museum. Fergus Clunie, former director of the Fiji Museum was kind enough to explain the various collection numbers a few years ago regarding a “kali” neckrest but the information applies to these two objects as well. On the bowl the 115/30 was applied in 1930 when the objects in the collection were re-accessioned—thus this was item number 115 in 1930. The coconut kava cup has the number 14/30 meaning it was the 14th object re-accessioned in 1930. Both pieces come from a Red Bluff California private collection and the first time on the market in over 50 years. There are remains of what might have been an old varnish finish to them. The bowl is 13” (33cm) long and 5 ¼” (13.2 cm) in height—notice the early style of lug carved out on one side. The cup is 3 7/8” (9.7 cm) in height.