Spatula
Lime-spatula from Papua New Guinea with orange and yellow pom-poms. It is carved from a single piece of bone with a loop handle with pierced edges. The blade is leaf-shaped. The concave shaft has a ridge along its length and pierced scalloped edges. Two yellow pom-poms are attached to the upper end of the shaft and two more orange/yellow ones to the handle. The function of the spatula was to transfer lime from a container to the mouth when betel-chewing (when combined with lime, the seeds of the betal palm act as a mild stimulant). The item was formerly in the collections of the London Missionary Society.
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Object Details
ID: | ZBA5538 |
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Collection: | World Cultures |
Type: | Spatula |
Display location: | Not on display |
Date made: | 20th century |
Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
Measurements: | Overall: 17 mm x 350 mm x 50 mm |
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