Sawos Lime Spatula-Harry Franklin Collection-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Sawos Figurative Lime Spatula
Sawos culture, Sepik Plains, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Harry A. Franklin (O5016), Beverly Hills
Late 19th century
33 ⅛” (84.1 cm) in height
Wooden lime spatulas from the Sepik River are surprisingly rare. There are many cassowary bone examples invariably surmounted by carved bird forms. This wood one is exceptional for its beautifully rendered face with remains of blue pigments. The long stretch of notches on the bottom half of the shaft were there to create a rasping noise when raked against the side of the lime gourd—an unequivocal signal of displeasure made when the owner hears nonsense.