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Lime spatula, 19th century
Ebony
26 cm (10 1/4 in.)

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The spatula is carved in the form of a splayed male figure. According to Harry Beran, its simple, unadorned style is typical of spatulas that date from the earlier part of the 19th century. The figure may be compared with a sqautting figure carved at the top end of a spatula "to work the sago" in the Museo Preistorico Ethnografico L. Pigorini, Rome (Brizi, 1976: 242, fig. 58). According to Trobriand Chief Narubutua, human figure spatulas were used for magical protection during kula voyages. To that purpose, the magician called on a spirit (tokwai) to enter the figure and protect the owner during his sleep (ibid., 19). The Trobriand Islands are known as the major center for making anthropomorphic spatulas, but they were also made in the Marshall Bennett Islands, on Suau Island (off the coast of southeastern New Guinea), and perhaps some other places (ibid., 27)." (Catalog #417, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 153.) 1988 - Beran, 1988, fig. 10.

Related Keywords
spatula Lime Art Jolika Massim Northern Oceania Province Bay Milne Guinea New Object Ritual Ebony 0308200711540048 A383339 AOA