Bird bowl ·  Solomon Islands, Santa Ana Island · ID: 3034450

Description

wood, black patina, mother-of-pearl-inlay, representing a frigate bird, holding a fish (shark or bonito) in the beak, on foot, slightly dam.:
such bowls were used in food ceremonies to contain food stuffs.
The “bonito” cult was a primary focus of cultural activity in this part of the Solomon Islands. Not only was catching the bonito a spiritual activity, but relations with other sacred animals, especially frigate birds and sharks, were important to the cult.

The object Bird bowl with the object ID 3034450 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 45 achieved a sales price of EUR 500.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Oceanian art.

Comparing literature

Burt, Ben, Body ornaments of Malaita, Solomon Islands, London 2009, p. 94 f.