Plat apia nie

“The most successful form for a dish ever created in a civilization, masterfully abstract and pure in line. The relationship between curve and plane, solidity and lightness, strength and elegance of its form creates a volume that is a great sculpture – a pure delight for the eyes – a tribute from man to space. .” Excerpt from The George Ortiz Collection of Primitive Works of Art Sotheby’s London, June 29, 1978, lot 86, on the design of Matty Island bowls This monoxyle dish, made with a clam shell adze (Tridacna), is typical in shape of dishes made on Wuvulu Island. It was used for the consumption of food at regular meals, not for ceremonial purposes. Matty Island (Wuvulu) is a low-lying coral island just 87 nautical miles north of mainland New Guinea.
Although the first European sighting of Matty, by Inigo Ortiz de Retes, dates back to 1545 and Carteret, aboard the “Swallow”, passed through in 1767, virtually nothing is known of the island’s inhabitants until the late 19th century.
R. Parkinson visited Matty in 1899 and gave a good account in his famous book“Dreissig Jahre in der Sűdsee“. He was deeply impressed by the woodworking skills of the islanders and especially by their unique dishes known as apia nie. Price: €16,500