Ceremonial Bowl with Support Figures
Star Harbour area, San Cristobal (Makira Island), Solomon Islands, c. 2nd quar. 20th c.
Light wood, black pigment, and nautilus shell inlay
Ex–estate of Murray Gell-Mann (Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States), ex–Irving M.
Johnson (collected 2nd quar. 20th c.)
16.5” l x 9.5” h (41.9 x 24.1 cm), width of bowl 4.75” (12.1 cm)
SOLD
This ceremonial bowl, supported by sea spirits (akalo ni matawa) bearing open mouthes and short fishtails protruding from their occiputs, was used to make oblations to spirits and would have also been on display at important ceremonial occasions connected with the bonito cult of the southeastern Solomons. This beautiful bowl was published in Hurst (1996: 31, fig. 29), who believes that the spirit imagery likely represents the so-called “Roaring Bravado” or “Bounding Bravado” spirit of Ulawa Island.
