Ceremonial Food Bowl

A large ceremonial food bowl carved with two lizards and two architectural (?) elements in low relief on the outside. The feet are composed of four low plugs set around a square frame. The outer edge of the bowl is carved with a fluted band interspersed with finely rendered geometric motifs around the entire rim. Admiralty Islands, PNG, Melanesia. Wood with a glossy deep reddish patination of age and wear. 53 Ø x 15 cm. 19th century. See a similar bowl sold by Galerie Meyer in 1982 in the Yves Saint Laurent & Pierre Bergé collection, Paris.