Bowl "apie nie" ·  Papua New Guinea - Bismarck Archipelago, Wuvulu, Manus Province · ID: 3034526

Description

wood, black and brown patina, narrow waisted, shallow, rectangular form, slightly dam., crack, minor missing parts at the rims, abrasion of paint inside;
this is very large and very rare for Matty Island dishes.
“apie nie” were cut from a solid block of calophyllum wood and are considered a marvel of the woodworker’s art. The bowls come in many sizes. They were used to serve cooked fish.

Comparing literature

Newton, Douglas (ed.), Arts of the South Seas, München, London, New York 1999, p. 362, ill. 9