A Fine Massim , Trobriand Islands , carved wood lime spatula (1900 to 2000 Trobriand Islands)

wood

51.00cm high (20.08 inches high)

The best Melanesian lime spatula’s seem to have been carved on the Trobriand Islands. Both figural and abstract in design they have been collected by travellers and missionaries since the 19 th 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 .

A Fine Massim , Trobriand Islands , carved wood lime spatula
Early 20 th Century

Size : 51 cm long , 20 ins long