This is a heavy gauge copper, handmade bowl with hammered biblical figures. I have no idea of the age or the value, but the story behind it is fascinating.
One morning, probably in 1976, I was driving down Alvarado Boulevard, near Venice Boulevard, when I spotted a large crowd gathered at an estate sale right on the street and lawn. One of the sellers was a heavyset black woman. She was very friendly but had the demeanor that you sometimes see in members of cults.
I bought this bowl for about $15. I inquired why they were selling all their furnishings. She replied that her church and members were moving out of the country. Two years later, In November 1978, all the news media were filled with the horrific story of the Jim Jones Peoples Temple group which had moved to Guyana, South America and who on his command drank cyanide laced Kool-Aid.
About 918 people, including many children, perished in that jungle. I then realized that the bowl that I purchased was from his disciples moving sale shortly before they departed. The friendly lady who sold me the bowl probably died in that massacre.
(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.
In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.
While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.
The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)