1888 TAHITI CEREMONIAL BOWL / ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

TODAYS ITEM FOR AUCTION IS: Today’s item for auction is a ceremonial feast / KAVA bowl dated to 1888 Tautira, Tahiti. It stands approximately 9 ½ inches tall. 26 ½ inch diameter. Depth of bowl is 5 1/2 – 6 inches. Rim is 2 – 2 ¼ inches wide. This is a fine example of oceanic arts of the late 19th century. An outstanding example standing on its own merit of an ethnographic utilitarian form.

Carved from Kou wood, a soft but durable wood chosen often for its physical properties and its aesthetic qualities being its superb contrasting colors. It would have been carved, then soaked in water and nut oil, and then polished to a high gloss. The higher status members or royalty of tribal societies usually kept a ceremonial bowl / kava of this size for special occasions. The piece was carved with deep broad strokes and has a lovely patina. There is a plaque, which comes with it. We believe that it was mounted to the front by way of twisted cords strung through the two holes and attached to them. The plaque had two loops on the back, which have since been broken. There is wear on the center of the plaque from being handled over the years while on display in the homes of the Spreckles family mentioned below.

That is where this particular bowl takes on a life of its own and separates itself from perhaps others that one might find in oceanic art circles and museum holdings. This particular ceremonial bowl came to us by way of the Spreckle’s Sugar Family by way of Adolf Claus J. Spreckles who was known as the “Sugar King,” (1828-1908) and was passed down through the family. (Continued provenance provided to serious bidders only). It was Spreckles who was a major industrialist during the Kingdom, Republican and Territorial periods of Hawaii’s history. Owning vast parcels of land in that country for the production of sugar made him extremely wealthy and very likely to cross the paths of someone there who knew Robert Louis Stevenson. RLS (herein) left Tahiti in December of 1888 and went to Hawaii till around June of 1889, and then went on to Samoa where he settled in December of 1889 and later died and was buried in 1894.

Now I think you get the gist of what is being offered. A ceremonial bowl with metal engraved plaque that reads “ON THIS PAPAHIA ALL OF ROBERT LOUIS STEVEN’S FOOD WAS PREPARED DURING HIS VISIT TO HIS BLOOD BROTHER ORI A ORI OF TAUTITA IN TAHITI IN 1888.” RLS’s trip to Tahiti is well documented in by many sources. His trip there in the “Casco” and subsequent stay due to a broken mast, were the beginnings of a very happy time in his life which continued to his death in Samoa. There is a fine accounting of his stay in Tahiti in the publication of 1903 “From Saranac to the Marquesas and Beyond, (being letters written by Mrs. M.L. Stevenson during 1887 – 1888 Edited and Arranged by Marie Clothilde Balfour. Copy of which was provided me by a scholar of Robert Louis Stevenson, via the RLS Silverado Museum) Though this bowl left Tahiti and was brought to Hawaii along with many more gifts and perhaps of a more practical size. Sometime during his short stay in Hawaii, he crossed paths with Spreckles who acquired the bowl and it remained in his direct family lines until this year when Land Sea Discovery Group acquired it.

Ori A Ori of Tauitira, Tahiti (Garden spot of the world) was the local chief and invited RLS to his home and style of life which RLS adapted with a little discomfort at first but then came to love. They became great friends and exchanged names. Ori became RUI, and RLS became Terrii-tera. When RLS first arrived he suffered from a chronic illness. Princess Moe a grandmother of the royal class, great beauty and speaking perfect English visited several times a day with dishes that helped RLS recover. Fanny, RLS’s wife believed Princess Moe saved his life.

Robert Louis Stevenson born November 13th, 1850 Edinburgh, Scotland was a prolific writer. Some of his more well known pieces are TREASURE ISLAND, KIDNAPPED, BROKEN ARROW, STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE, PRINCE OTTO, A CHILD’S GARDEN OF VERSES, IN THE SOUTH SEAS, A FOOTNOTE IN HISTORY EIGHT YEARS OF TROUBLE IN SAMOA and much more.

For more information on Robert Louis Stevenson, Ori A Ori, and the Spreckles family, I suggest you use Google or your favorite search engine, or better yet a well established library. We would love to see this piece end up in the hands of a museum or similar setting so the peoples of the world can see it in person, however we know that this is not always possible. Special arrangements with institutions may be made for delayed payment, and shipping, or delivery in the US. If the item does not sell we would be willing to negotiate for de-aquisitioned items that would equal the value shown, be it documents, paintings, or other.

This is only the second time since 1889 that this piece has been offered for sale to the general public and that was by us. It is an historical treasure of the most importance. If you have questions please ask. My email address is JAKELSDG@EARTHLINK.NET or use Ebay’s question feature. Please do not ask me to end the auction early, I prefer not to.

Condition is as is. If you have more specific questions regarding condition please ask. I will note to you now the flaws we see. There is an eight-inch area on the left front of the bowl where the rim was scraped up against something. It appears to be old as the wood is somewhat worn there. (See photo) There is a stain in the bottom center of the bowl. (From preparation I assume) Various age / stress cracks.

SHIPPING AND OTHER INFO: California residents need to add 8.75% sales tax. These rates do not apply to international bidders. If you are concerned about the international shipping charges, you should email at least two days prior to the end of the auction to get an estimated charge for shipping and handling, or please do not bid. My address is SUSAN BROUWER, PO BOX 401904, HESPERIA, CA. 92340. We have no options for pickup or delivery.