Lime Spatula
| Origin | Trobriand Islands |
|---|---|
| Title | Lime Spatula (Kena) |
| Date | 20th century |
| Medium | Wood, glass beads, and and fiber |
| Dimensions | Object: 13 1/2 × 1 1/2 × 7/8 in. (34.3 × 3.8 × 2.2 cm) Overall: 13 1/2 × 1 1/2 × 7/8 in. (34.3 × 3.8 × 2.2 cm) |
| Credit Line | Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 63.119 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
The chewing of betel nut, a mild stimulant, combined with lime was a very common practice throughout much of New Guinea and the region. A great variety of forms and decorations exist for lime spatulas and other objects that were used within this practice. This beautiful example includes the depiction of an abstracted human figure with beads around its neck.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
Request this image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request.
This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.
Cite this page
"Lime Spatula | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=63.119