The meat tray was carved to be functional, but decorative
at the same time. The styles & sizes of meat platters vary.
Generally they consist of 1 large rectangular bowl with
rounded corners flanked on each end by handles. More
uncommon examples consist of 2 round bowls with a
tray in the middle which it has been said to hold salt.
Most have decorations carved into the underside of the
platter. The platters are often times placed upside down
over another platter to act as a cover.
The reason for the underside being decorated was because this was seen when the tray was hung while not in use.
The platters were
routinely smeared with the fat of ritually slaughtered
animals which has been associated with the idea of
ancestral protection.
Dimensions: 2.75"H x 19"W x 10"D
