Poi Bowl ('Umeke La'an)
Artist:
Unknown
Place made:United States
Culture: Native Hawaiians
Date: 18th century
Medium: Koa wood
Dimensions:
h. 6 in. (15.2 cm); diam. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Gilbert M. Denman, Jr.
Object number: 81.197.1
Label Text
The form of the beautiful and simple "poi" bowls of Hawaii was originally derived from that of gourds. Koa wood was the favored material because it was easy to carve, did not readily split, and was not prone to rot and insect damage. In early times, manufacture of these bowls was a meticulous and time-consuming three-step process of carving, soaking, and polishing. A single bowl could take several months to produce. As they dried out, and over long periods of use, some bowls developed cracks and splits, which were exquisitely repaired with round pegs, butterfly joints, wedges, and square and rectangular patches. Many collectors now prefer bowls having such repairs to those that are in pristine condition.
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
