Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas | Antiquities - 20th February 2024
Lot 444
A Vanuatu platter
Estimate £800 - £1,200 | Hammer £4032
Inc. Buyers Premium
Description
A Vanuatu platter
Espiritu Santo Island, Melanesia
of shallow circular form with a diced fan shape base and the top with two circular holes and a domed diced finial, the underside with four relief diced panels,
69.5cm long, 38cm wide.
This ceremonial platter was used to prepare and serve nalot, a pudding of breadfruit, grated yam, taro and other ingredients, and the two circles at the top are likely to represent boar's tusks, a symbol of wealth and status.