HAND CARVED WOOD DISHES

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The Trobriand Islands local artists are reknown among the world art collectors for their amazing delicate art, sculpted and etched with nothing more than very primitive centuries old tools. 

Carvers used stone axes to cut the trees, sharp edges of mussel shells to smooth the boards and a shark's tooth to incise the lines. Some groups are reported to have used nails washed up from shipwrecks as well. Paint brushes were made from coconut fiber when needed. Wood would be rubbed and smoothed for days and days with a searay or shark skin after each carving was completed.

These amazing masterfully hand carved bowls & sculptures are adorned with precise minute etching,  perfect and minuscule geometric designs,  & often bear incisions filled with inserts of mother of pearl obtained from shells found on the beaches: the variety of such refined art, coming from such a remote primitive culture, will astonish and impress.