Spatula

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Culture Abelam

Title Spatula

Date 19th–early 20th century

Medium Bone

Dimensions Object: 11 9/16 × 1 1/8 × 3/4 in. (29.4 × 2.9 × 1.9 cm)
Overall (includes mount): 12 7/16 × 1 7/8 × 2 in. (31.6 × 4.8 × 5.1 cm)

Credit Line Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Perry in honor of Raymond and Laura Wielgus, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 94.91

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About this Work

As is true of many objects made by artists within New Guinea, elements of the object’s form, color, materials, motifs, etc., are used to communicate status, gender, and more. Designs used on handles of Abelam spatulas are designated for male or female owners. The very fine carving seen in this example almost certainly communicated the status of the owner as well.

Provenance
More Details

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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"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=94.91