Ipu tau'ava

Ipu tau'ava. 'Ava serving cup. This type of ipu (cup) is commonly used to serve with during 'ava (kava) ceremonies. It is made from the muliipu (lower half) of a hollowed out popo (coconut shell) which is then rubbed and polished. This ipu is dark brown in colour with light brown markings which are more pronounced on the inside than the outside. These markings are natural markings from the coconut during its growth. This ipu is quite small and is made from niu tea (smallest variety of coconut). There is a very small chip in the rim and directly below is a crack which goes downwards and curves slightly to the right. The point on the underside of the ipu has been polished down to a small ridge with a hole drilled through and a piece of 'afa (sennit) pulled through.