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Dish, Toidje (Hoite), 19th–early 20th century
Wood, lime
62 x 36 x 4 cm (24 7/16 x 14 3/16 x 1 9/16 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.97

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Roland Grunwald Collection, Paris (1105); Robert Emile Bouchard Collection, Montreuil, France." (Catalog #557, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 183.) PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "Although to our eyes the dish appears to be decorated with fish motifs, the central design may actually be a rendering of a turtle (ebeuw) (cf. Hoogerbrugge, 1967: 67, fig. g). Turtle, hornbill, lizard, and frog were predominant animal motifs carved on such dishes (ibid.); see also Kooijman and Hoogerbrugge in Greub, 1992: 102, 114. An often recurring element in Sentani woodcarving is the repetitive use of the interlocking spiral (fouw), or a motif resembling an "S," which appears to be a metaphor for social and economic cohesion in society through mutual cooperation between families and the supreme chief (ondowafi). Another interpretation of the spiral motif is that is may be seen as symbolic of the connection between heaven and earth, in reference to the creation myth (Hoogerbrugge, 1967: 82-85). For an impressive display of the range of designs carved on these dishes, see Kooijman, 1959, pl. 57-67; and Kooijman and Hoogerbrugge in Greub, 1992, pl. 83-89. Such flat dishes, owned by women, were used in daily life "for serving fish and meat" (ibid.). Much larger examples were used to serve pork during ceremonial occassions and were owned by chiefs (ibid., 118). The dish was suspended by a rope around the knoblike extension." (Catalog #557, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 183.)

Related Keywords
Hoite Toidje Dish Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised 183 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art Guinea New 557 Catalog France Montreuil Bouchard Emile Robert 1105 Paris Grunwald Roland Oceania Papua West Indonesia Utensil lime Wood 0709200406050370 A361012 L05.1.97 AOA