Cassowary bone spatula from the Central Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Spatulas were shaped from wood or the tibiotarsus (shin bone) of cassowaries. Cassowary are large flightless birds found in New Guinea and Australia and can grow to up to 5 feet tall. (Distant relative of the emu.)
Designs can be geometric, along with depictions of either human faces, animals, or benevolent clan spirits that protect yam harvests. This example has a fine patina.
The spatula was used to remove lime kept in a gourd. The lime was typically mixed with ground betel nut to be chewed. Betel nut (also known as areca palm seed) would be ground with a mortar and when chewed would provide a mild intoxicating effect. It would be used at ceremonial events or a rite of passage. The spatula also was rattled against the gourd as musical accompaniment during ceremonial occasions.
This piece is in excellent condition, has been in storage for over 60 years, and was part of the collection of Dean Warner a graduate of Mexico City College and Thunderbird. Mr. Warner was a noted dealer in Pre-Columbian artifacts and a prolific collector of international ethnic folk art. He collected this piece during the early 1960s on location while attending the Abelam Peoples 'Yam Festival.' Art from his collection is on permanent display at The Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University in Phoenix.
Presented on a new museum-quality acrylic stand and would add interest to a variety of interiors from a Dark & Moody Study... to Boho, Globally-Inspired or even Mid-Century Modern.
Place of Origin: Central Highlands, Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Date of Manufacture: early/mid-20th century
Condition: Excellent
Wear: Consistent with age and use. Please refer to pictures.
Dimensions:
Dagger: 15.25 in. H X 2 in. W (top) X .13 in. D
Stand: 2 in. L X 2. in. W X 18 in. H
Total: 18.75 in. H
Reference:
The Met
LACMA
Bowers Museum
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH)
Linden Museum - Stuttgart
National Museums Scotland
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