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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Ceremonial Bowl
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Ceremonial Bowl

Artist/Maker (Artist Unknown)
Date1931
Mediumwood, paint and nautilus or conus shell
DimensionsOverall: 13 5/8 x 33 3/8 x 5 in. (34.6 x 84.8 x 12.7 cm)
ClassificationsContainers
Credit LineGift of The Rubin - Ladd Foundation
Terms
    Object number2005.43.30
    DescriptionThe carvers of Owa Riki are famous for their large ritual bowls, like this one in the form of a bonito canoe. Personal bowls such as this and larger communal bowls are used in commemorative feasts honoring selected deceased relatives and personal tutelary deities. The inlay comes from either the nautilus shell or the conus shell, depending on the thickness. It is held in place by putty made from oily local fruit. The bowl is painted with a resin-based black stain. The patron cannot pay the carver in currency because that would offend the tutelary deity to whom the bowl will be dedicated. The larger communal bowls are kept in canoe houses with the sacred bonito canoes.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamileke people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 1830
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Emilie Brzezinski
    1992
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 1-700
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 750-850
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    1723-1735
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mixtec
    ca. 1200-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    mid 18th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Lambayeque-Sicán
    800-1350
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 650-750