Lot 12A
Oceania, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, Milne Bay Province, Trobriand Islands, Massim culture, ca. 1920 CE. A marvelous Massim wood clapper spatula from the Trobriand Islands, decorated in relief and openwork with stylized zoomorphic motifs. Liberal remains of white pigment highlight the incised scrollwork, emphasizing the interplay of solid and void along the elongated handle. This example belongs to the "clapper type" spatula, an ingenious dual-purpose implement combining practical and musical functions. At one end, the spatula served in the preparation of betel nut - a mixture of areca nut, betel pepper leaf, and powdered lime derived from burnt coral or shell, widely chewed throughout Oceania in both social and ceremonial contexts. At the other end, the split, hollowed handle forms a resonating cavity that produces a sharp clapping sound when struck against the hand or body. Size: 13.2" L x 1.6" W (33.5 cm x 4.1 cm)
In Trobriand tradition, such clappers were not merely musical accompaniments for dance and song but, in certain contexts, instruments of authority. Chiefs employed them to announce their approach, while sorcerers used them in spells connected to canoe carving, warfare, and the summoning of wind at sea. The present example's detailed motifs, balanced proportions, and excellent preservation reflect the artistry of Massim woodcarvers, whose betel-related paraphernalia rank among the most refined works of Melanesian carving.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Taylor Dale Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USE; ex-Australian collection
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#196368
- Condition: Light surface wear as shown, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with liberal remains of fugitive pigment.
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