Possible New Guinea Bowl/Cup For ID

Robert · 21st February 2015, 03:59 AM

Hello everyone, I just picked up this interesting small bowl/cup from ebay and would like to hear everyones opinions on where it might be from, its possible age and what it might have originally been used for. The auction description and photos are below. In this description it is referred to as being a bowl. I have also seen photos of similar items being used as a cup. In those (not shown) photos the person holding it had their thumb hooked under the protrusion at the end and their fingers wrapped around the outside brim while drinking from it. I can easily see it being used as a dipper/cup for drinking, but with the rounded bottom it seems that it would not be very stable when being used as a bowl and would tip over very easily (spilling its contents) unless it was being held the entire time it was in use. My thanks for any help and information that might be offered on this item as it would be greatly appreciated.

"New Guinea Unusual, small bowl with Head/Beak Mask spear/dagger shape,
carved from wood. Dimensions: 6” X 3 3/8” Approx. 1.5” Height Approx.
Head/Beak 1 5/8” long x 1”Widest Approx. Nicely carved."

Best,
Robert

21st February 2015, 03:59 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Possible New Guinea Bowl/Cup For ID Hello everyone, I just picked up this interesting small bowl/cup from ebay and would like to hear everyones opinions on where it might be from, its possible age and what it might have originally been used for. The auction description and photos are below. In this description it is referred to as being a bowl. I have also seen photos of similar items being used as a cup. In those (not shown) photos the person holding it had their thumb hooked under the protrusion at the end and their fingers wrapped around the outside brim while drinking from it. I can easily see it being used as a dipper/cup for drinking, but with the rounded bottom it seems that it would not be very stable when being used as a bowl and would tip over very easily (spilling its contents) unless it was being held the entire time it was in use. My thanks for any help and information that might be offered on this item as it would be greatly appreciated. "New Guinea Unusual, small bowl with Head/Beak Mask spear/dagger shape, carved from wood. Dimensions: 6” X 3 3/8” Approx. 1.5” Height Approx. Head/Beak 1 5/8” long x 1”Widest Approx. Nicely carved." Best, Robert Attached Images