North Pacific, Hawaii, ca. 16th to mid-17th century CE. A remarkable lamp used for burning oil extracted from the kukui nut, which translates to "candle nut," hand-carved from smooth coral. The fascinating implement presents a round base, a pointed top that may have served as a handle, and a gently recessed basin for holding and burning nut oil. Light was produced from this lamp by filling the interior with kukui nut oil, igniting one end of a tapa-bark wick, and placing the unlit end inside the oil; the amount of light generated depended on the number of wicks used. Size: 4.4" W x 3.5" H (11.2 cm x 8.9 cm); 4.8" H (12.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#161889

Expected surface wear with abrasions, nicks, and pitting, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, intact and excellent.