Lime Spatula

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Origin Massim

Title Lime Spatula (Kena)

Date 20th century

Medium Wood

Dimensions Object: 12 × 1 × 1 in. (30.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm)
Overall: 12 × 1 × 1 in. (30.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm)

Credit Line Gift of John and Rita Grunwald, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 78.57.6

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About this Work

The blade leaf shape along with a handle depicting an animal or human form are characteristic of Massim lime spatulas. In the case of this spatula the bodies of the two human forms depicted are quite abstracted while the heads are far more realistic.

Within the Massim region, and in many other parts of New Guinea, the chewing of the betel nut with a little lime power as a mild stimulant and communal event was widespread. Many objects were created for the process. The “S” scroll forms filled with lime are a common motif often found both on lime spatulas and other objects from the area.

Provenance
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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.

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"Lime Spatula | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2024. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=78.57.6