Stone Sculpturings in Relief from the Hawaiian Islands. 39 



torn more or less flat, sometimes varied with another small pit in 

 the middle. The cup in specimen Xo. 9338 is ovately conical, 

 with a diameter of 2.8 to 3 inches at the edge and a depth of 3.5 

 inches. In this specimen, the greater outside diameter is 7.4, 

 lesser 6.4 and height 6.6 inches. A raised figure of human form 

 adorns each end, each 6.3 inches high. The noses are in evidence, 

 while to represent the eyes and mouths, there are slight depres- 

 sions. Small projections represent the ears. The legs are very 

 short and are without feet. They were gradually worked down 

 and disappear at the edge of the convex bottom of the lamp. The 

 lower portion of the arms of fig. c are bent out a little to represent 

 hands, and are seen more clearly in fig. d. In fig. c the breadth 

 of shoulder is 3 inches, and the height in relief .8 inch, while in 

 fig. e the measurements are 2.8 and .7 respectively. 



The use of the human figure in native art as a means of orna- 

 menting utensils occurred among the higher castes of Hawaiians, 

 as is evidenced in some wooden bowls and dishes preserved in this 

 and other museums. In regard to the intention of the carving 

 being merely ornamental, a legend has been handed down with 

 specimen No. 408 in this Museum to the effect that the figures 

 supporting the dish represented Kahahaiia, the king of Oahu (con- 

 quered and slain by Kahekili of Maui) and his wife Kekuapoi-ula, 

 who were shown in the carvings in the menial position of offering 

 food and holding their mouths wide open as salt cellars. 1 - It might 

 reasonably be believed that the dish was the work of a Maui artist 

 with the idea of degrading the memory of the vanquished Oahu 

 king. The custom of honoring or dishonoring the memory of the 

 deceased by the use of human teeth and bones inlaid in imple- 

 ments, has been referred to by Dr. Brigham.' 3 We might regard 

 the figures ornamenting the stone lamp under discussion as repre- 

 senting persons in native history destined by the art of the sculptor 

 to guard the lamp for all time, but whether as an honorable occu- 

 pation or a menial task, we cannot decide. 



This specimen of native stone work is probably unique, the 

 only other lamp of like workmanship known, having been lost as 

 before narrated. 



'Mem. B. P. B. Mus., vol. ii. p. 162. 

 'Ibid, pp. 568, 369, pi. xxxi. 



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