Context (CMS Context)
(Bio): Sir Robert Foster (collector); Dr. C. White (donor)
Event Date 27/6/2006
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Large kava bowl with cowrie shell decorations.Large circular kava bowl with 6 legs. There are four large shells attached to the rim of the bowl, hanging down. A triangular shape pointing downwards has been carved on the rim of the bowl. Through the hole in the rim there is a long coconut fibre string with two shells and a bundle of three shells attached at different intervals. The inside of the bowl has a metal plaque reading: 'To Sir Robert and Lady Foster From the People of Fiji January 1973'.
Event Date 27/6/2006
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Very large circular dish carved from a solid piece of vesi wood with six conical supporting legs. The surface of the dish is very deep with a flat wide lip measuring 3.7 cm, which then curves inwards for a further 2.2 cm. Underneath the lip there is a band of vesi wood running horizontally between each leg with a carved lip at the bottom. Each of the 5 bands has a hole drilled through the centre with a large cowrie shell hanging by a length of plaited coir; the coir has been replaced with string on one shell and another shell is now detached but still has the plaited coir cord attached. The front of the dish has a triangular lug with three vertical lines carved in raised relief running down the centre of the lug. Two holes have been drilled through the lug on either side of the linear carvings, which are threaded with a thick length of coir made from 4-ply plaited coir measuring 113 cm; 2 large cowrie shells are tied to the cord at 50.5 cm and a further 3 large cowrie shells are tied onto the end of the cord. 88 cm down the cord there is a loop of plaited coir, which has become loose from the main cord. There are a number small drops of white residue on the surface of the dish especially concentrated around the metal plaque measuring 8 cm length x 3.5 cm height, which is nailed to the surface of the dish. The plaque reads 'To Sir Robert And Lady Foster With All Best Wishes From The Peoples Of Fiji January 1973'.
Event Date 4/1/2012
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
Labels & inscriptions: '2005.678' written in white ink on the band to the left of the triangular lug.
Event Date 4/2/2014
Author: Lucie Carreau