A CARVED WOOD KAVA BOWL

Description:

Samoa Island
D. 50,5 cm
A large circular wooden kava bowl, carved from a single piece of wood of the intsia bijuga tree, with a flat rim. It stands on 12 round sectioned leg and one protruding section for hanging when not in use.
Important Bavarian private collection, assembled before 2007
These bowls would be used at traditional 'ava (kava) ceremonies in Samoa. They are used for mixing a sedative drink made from the roots of the kava plant, which is crushed to a powder and then mixed with water. Bowls of this type have become important symbols of Samoan hospitality - Minor traces of age