13 May 2010
13:00 EDT
New York
Fine African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art - Oceanic Art
Back to auction 18189
Fine African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art - Oceanic Art
Back to auction 18189
A rare and important priestly 'olo 'awa cup, 'olo 'awa, Hawaiian Islands
length 4 1/2in; height 2in
made of mature coconut shell and with a Leo Fortess Collection label reading: HAWAIIAN AWA CUPS - COCONUT - CHIEFLY USE - PRE-MISSIONARY, SEE I. JENKIN(s) HAWAIIAN CALABASH-PP.iii, 206."
Provenance:
Theo Davies Collection, Hawaii
Leo Fortess Collection, Hawaii
Davies was an important figure in 19th century Hawaii, the founder of the "Big 5" firm bearing his name, a prominent member of the Episcopal Church and the guardian of Princess Kaiulani.
The drinking cup ascribed to the kahuna, or priestly, class was distinguished by an oblique cut which passed above the pointed distal end, giving the cup a different shape (Buck, 1957:70, Figure 43 (b)).
cf. Jenkins (1989:206) for a similar example.
cf. Buck (1957:70, Figure 43(b) for a similar example.
made of mature coconut shell and with a Leo Fortess Collection label reading: HAWAIIAN AWA CUPS - COCONUT - CHIEFLY USE - PRE-MISSIONARY, SEE I. JENKIN(s) HAWAIIAN CALABASH-PP.iii, 206."
Provenance:
Theo Davies Collection, Hawaii
Leo Fortess Collection, Hawaii
Davies was an important figure in 19th century Hawaii, the founder of the "Big 5" firm bearing his name, a prominent member of the Episcopal Church and the guardian of Princess Kaiulani.
The drinking cup ascribed to the kahuna, or priestly, class was distinguished by an oblique cut which passed above the pointed distal end, giving the cup a different shape (Buck, 1957:70, Figure 43 (b)).
cf. Jenkins (1989:206) for a similar example.
cf. Buck (1957:70, Figure 43(b) for a similar example.
Estimate:
US$ 3,500 - 5,000
£2,300 - 3,300
€2,700 - 3,900
£2,300 - 3,300
€2,700 - 3,900
Category: Ethnographic Art / African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art
Auction terms and conditions