Spatula, wealth display

Reference : 22

Spatula, wealth display

Whale bone, Chama pacifica shell disks , fiber rope
Dimensions: Height: 37.3cm
Presumed date: ^19th or early ^20th century
Aire Massim
Papua New Guinea Provenance:
– Collection Bernard le Dauphin Paris
– Collection Marcia and John Friede.
The Jolika Collection. Rye, New York
– Galerie Franck Marcelin
– Collection Jean Claude Mocellin, Nice Exhibition:
– The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

New York 1991. New Guinea Bone carving

Bibliography:
– Friede. 2005. Reproduced Vol II, illustrated page 154 n°421
– Harry Beran & Franck Marcelin. Art Massim, 150 objects from the Jolika collection.
Aix en Provence, 2016, illustrated p.136 photo caption: Malinowski

More details

According to the writings of Otto ^Finsch1, spatulas of this type were among the most valuable and sought-after possessions of chiefs.
This is probably due to the scarcity of whalebone in the Massim region. Called bosu in the Trobriand Islands or potuma in the southern Massim area, they were held only by village chiefs or high-ranking individuals. They could be used as currency. Otto Finsch adds in his book that a beautiful pirogue could be obtained in exchange for a spatula similar in size to the one presented here. Due to their size and the addition of shell disks, these spatulas were only exceptionally used for setting lime. This rare example is in perfect condition, complete with its shell ornament. Note:
1- Finsch, Otto. 1914. Suedseearbeiten. Friederichsen & Co, Hamburg, pp.211-212

Price: €14,000

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