Beater · Papua New Guinea, Iatmul · ID: 3036478
Description
heavy wood, dark brown patina, remains of red, white and indigo blue pigment, oval flattened head piece, beating area with decor in bas-relief, the handle carved with a crocodile head, two rattan cuffs (for suspension), slightly dam., minor missing parts, abrasion of paint, base;
such beaters with abundant decor were used for opening coconuts which the Iatmul used for ritual purposes.
The object Beater with the object ID 3036478 was last part of the auction 76th tribal art auction at March 22, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 50.
Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Oceanian art.
Comparing literature
Greub, Suzanne (ed.), Kunst am Sepik, Basel 1985, ill. 56 Kelm, Heinz, Kunst vom Sepik, Band III, Berlin 1968, ill. 487