Ceremonial spoon · Papua New Guinea - Tami Islands · ID: 3041634
not available anymore
Size
L: 60,5 cm
L: 23.8 inch
Description
wood, dark brown patina, small traces of white pigment, massive handle round in cross section, transition point to ladle carved with composite being (body of an insect, anthropomorphic head and arms, small crocodile head), slightly dam., abrasion of paint;
presumably used for sago, a starchy flour, which is produced from the inner pith of the sago palm. The flour is mixed with water and can be eaten as fried cake or boiled into a form of thick soup.