Natural Edge Kou Umeke by Gordon Tang 7″H x 12″D $1700

Description

Natural Edge Kou Umeke by Gordon Tang 7″H x 12″D $1700

 

Gordon Tang’s traditional Hawaiian shapes are widely appreciated by collectors of Hawaiiana both for functional and decorative purposes. A number of people collect his bowls for poi supper, luckies!

‘Umeke

‘Umeke ‘ai is an honored implement in a Hawai’i home, for through the ceremony of eating poi one at a time from the bowl at the center. The ‘umeke ‘ai filled with kalo (taro) is considered the means of survival of the people of Hawai`i Nei.

‘Umeke la’au is the Hawai’i name for these containers or calabashes of wood, which were used for the storage, transport and serving of food in various stages of preparation.

Kou

Kou is an excellent tree for a roomy landscape. They can get to be medium-large trees and may not be suitable for small urban yards that cannot accommodate a height and canopy spread of 25-35 feet. Kou grows in the coastal regions of the Hawaiian islands. It is considered a rare wood. Kou was prized by Hawaiian royalty for food use: poi bowls, calabashes and utensils as Kou does not impart a taste to food. Legend says the Gods choose who can work in Kou.

 

The dimensions listed in the ‘additional information’ tab includes packing for shipment.

Mahalo!

Natural Edge Kou Umeke by Gordon Tang 7″H x 12″D $1700