Papua New Guinean Feast / Serving Bowl

A heavy oval bowl, drawn in swirling incised curves with a central face-like motif

This feast / serving bowl is from Tami Islands, Papua New Guinea, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved wood & applied pigment. Motifs on Tami bowls often show crocodiles, snakes or lizards, believed to manifest powerful spirits, flanking a central stylized figure with outstretched arms, low head and slightly bent knees. A deep, wide oval bowl with a dark gray-brown surface and softly rounded ends. Incised curling lines and scrolls fill the side, centered on a mask-like motif. The surface is slightly dusty and worn. It is 40.6 inches wide, 18.8 deep and 7.1 high.

Swirls with a lot of conviction, nicely carved and slightly smug.