I 



Odd Shaped Umcki 



167 



Only in large collections like those in the Bishop Musenm can the choice work of the 

 ancient artisans be studied. 



We may glance briefl}- at some unusual forms of umeke. In Fig. 150 are shown 

 two with the upper edge developed into three angles and a marked constriction in 

 the waist, features that I am unable to explain. That it was not a mere freak of one 

 workman is shown bj- the number of examples in this Museum apparently not all 

 from the same hand, nor of the same age. They are well made, solid at the base, and 

 have a fine surface. 



In Plate XL we have an umeke, not in the IMuseum colledlion, with cylindrical 

 sides and a flat bottom, the only one of this shape and size seen. While it seems 



old, I am inclined to consider 

 it a modern example. The flat 

 bottoms were not peculiar, but 

 often occur in umeke of un- 

 doubted age as in Fig. 151, 

 Nos. 537 and 484. Also in 

 Fig. 152, No. 538. A partly 

 C3dindrical bod 3^ but with 

 curved upper and lower edges 

 is seen in No. 481, Fig. 143, and 

 also in No. 440 in Fig. 150. 

 In the umeke with decided 

 external angles, as No. 537, 

 Fig. 151, and 538, Fig. 152, the 



FIG. \S%- UMEKE WITH LUGS FOR SUSPENSION. . .^ . . , , 



mside Ignores the angle and 

 is evenl3' curved. In the list given below to show the sizes of the principal umeke in 

 the Bishop Museum it will be seen that many of these, even some of large diameter 

 are comparatively flat, as No. 445. 



I have classed with umeke the curious form shown in Fig. 153 which has four 

 lugs remarkably well carved and bored, evidentl}' for the cords b}^ which the bowl was 

 suspended, but why ? It was not large enough to hold enough poi for an adult's 

 meal, being only about six inches in diameter. It might have been a vase for the 

 sweet-smelling flowers the Hawaiian loved, to hang from the coconut leaf-covered 

 lanai under which a feast was held, but the inside is clean and not stained as would 

 be probable if used as suggested. My reader must find his own use for this choice 

 little vessel for I am unable to help him farther. 



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