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19th CENTURY HAWAIIAN KOA POI BOWL - likely by Augusto Dias, inventor of Ukulele
19th CENTURY HAWAIIAN KOA POI BOWL - likely by Augusto Dias, inventor of Ukulele
19th CENTURY HAWAIIAN KOA POI BOWL - likely by Augusto Dias, inventor of Ukulele
19th CENTURY HAWAIIAN KOA POI BOWL - likely by Augusto Dias, inventor of Ukulele
19th CENTURY HAWAIIAN KOA POI BOWL - likely by Augusto Dias, inventor of Ukulele
19th CENTURY HAWAIIAN KOA POI BOWL - likely by Augusto Dias, inventor of Ukulele

19th CENTURY HAWAIIAN KOA POI BOWL - likely by Augusto Dias, inventor of Ukulele

$ 5253.6

Availability: 21 in stock
  • Condition: Please see photos for actual condition of bowl. It has a fine naturally varied light and dark brown patina, zigzag cracks and several lovely repair patches, including on the bottom. The patches tell the story of its long and storied history.
  • Culture: Hawaiian
  • Provenance: Ownership History Available
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Handmade: Yes

    Description

    This exquisite 19th-century Hawaiian poi bowl, is believed by my family to have been hand crafted by my great-great uncle, Augusto Dias, who was one of the three inventors of the Ukulele. He was a marceneiro, or cabinetmaker from the Portuguese island of Madeira, arriving in Honolulu on the Ravenscrag ship in 1879, after a four-month voyage where they survived on a diet of a thin soup made from salt pork and beans, rationed hard tack, and a meager breakfast of mealy corn mush. Around 1884, he opened his woodworking business in Chinatown at 11 King Street. No one can definitively say who crafted the first 'ukulele,' but it is broadly agreed that my great-great uncle, along with Manuel Nunes and Jose do Espirito Santo all had a hand in converting the Madeiran machete into the Hawaiian ukulele.
    I received the bowl from my mother, who received it from her mother, (my grandmother), who received it from her mother, who was the daughter of Augusto Dias.  It's been a cherished heirloom within our family for generations. Passed down from my grandmother to my mother and then to me, this bowl symbolizes our deep-rooted connection to traditional Hawaiian culture and craftsmanship.
    The bowl has been wonderfully preserved, with graceful tapering sides, and a fine naturally varied light and dark brown patina, a zigzag crack and several lovely repair patches, including on the bottom, that tell the story of its long and storied history. It has a rather wide-diameter flat bottom, which is very unusual among poi bowls of the time, which lends support to it having been made by Augusto Dias himself - his own custom take on the poi bowl.   His use of Koa rather than Kou is also unusual and might be due to the fact that ukuleles were made from Koa, lending additional support to it being crafted by Augusto Dias.
    Also, somebody really loved this bowl and its repairs signify deep respect. It was treasured enough to undergo repair with the desire to make the repair itself beautiful.This unique piece, rich in cultural and familial significance, offers a rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of Hawaiian and Portuguese history.
    Dimensions:
    Height
    : approx 6.75 inches
    Diameter of top opening
    : approx 8.5 inches
    Diameter of base
    : approx 6.0 inches
    Circumference at widest area
    : approx 29 inches
    Please know that when you purchase from me, that you're getting exactly what's described here. I've been on Ebay for over 20 years and have a 100% seller and buyer rating.  All my customers have been very satisfied with their purchases.  Please feel free to browse my reviews and see for yourself. And please don't hesitate to message me with any questions you may have.  I'm more than happy to answer.  Thanks again for your interest in my item, and happy bidding!