Massim, Trobriand Islands, Carved Wood Lime Spatula ca. 19th century Item Number: 929238 $1,695.00

DescriptionMassim Lime Spatula, Papua New Guinea, ca. 19th century. Carved wooden spoon with dual stylized ancestor figures and faces. Both figural and abstract in design, lime spatulas have been collected by travelers and missionaries since the 19th century. Women used spatula such as this with geometric finials. All lime containers have a spatula as a necessary tool to remove the crushed lime and chopped betel nut . The mixture would then be taken from the end of the spatula. 11-1/2"L x 2"W, excellent condition. Custom museum mount.

ProvenanceEx-private Hawaii Collection, ex-De Young Museum, San Francisco, with museum reference number