Oceania / Polynesia, Hawaiian Islands, ca. early 20th century CE. A massive koa wood platter with a shallow bowl and a carved border that looks like thick, twisted rope or branches. The platter stands on four short, round, integrated feet. Hawaii is renowned for its finely carved vessels, many of which are made of koa wood - its grain is relatively soft and easy to cut. In traditional Hawaiian culture, cooked taro root was pounded into poi, a stable of their diet. Taro root was steamed in an earthen oven, peeled using shells, and placed onto a slab of wood like this one to be pounded. The pounded results were blended with water to form a highly nutritious paste. Size: 28.55" L x 18.9" W (72.5 cm x 48 cm) Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #135653