Southeast Asia, Thailand, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A handsome rabbit-shaped coconut grater carved from a large piece of wood with an iron grater projecting from the mouth. The rabbit crouches on its four feet atop an integral rectangular base. Attention is given to the curvature of legs, and red and green pigments decorate the tail and head. The grater has a curved neck and a flat profile with serrated edges. While it may seem like the rabbit is an unusually large attachment for a simple tool, Thai graters were traditionally attached to benches or blocks, so the person could sit and drag the coconut over the iron grater. This grater let the person sit astride the rabbit's back, and a bowl could be placed below the mouth to catch the shredded coconut. The wood has developed a smooth and lustrous patina from age and culinary use! Size: 21.4" L x 5.5" W x 8.2" H (54.4 cm x 14 cm x 20.8 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-De Roche Collection, California, USA

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#146797

Light fading to pigment, minor abrasions, and slight bending to iron grating tool, otherwise intact and very good. Nice remains of pigment across grater body.