Te kumete

human history

Te kumete. Wooden receptacle. This is a carved wooden receptacle. It has been carved from a dark wood. It is rectangular in form with two carved circular, convex projections upon the exterior of the short sides. A large rectangular cavity, with inward sloping sides has been carved out. It is low in height and long in shape. Its base concaves with curved edges that finish at the rim, portraying oval-like sides. The surface of the sides and interior are flat and smooth in texture. Faint circular shapes can be seen on the interior and exterior of the short sides, portraying the direction it was caved from the trunk of the tree. The large size of these kumete were filled with water and used after meals for hand washing. Their rectangular shape and narrow sides along with the slopped handles made it convenient for emptying the used contents.

Accession number: 1936.295 Last Update: 18 Aug 2026
Other Name

Wooden receptacle (English)

Accession Number

1936.295

Accession Date

1936

Other Id

24990 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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