Ladle with decorated handle, late 19th / early 20th century
Papua New Guinea - Bismarck Archipelago - Admirality Islands, Manus Island
sold
EUR 1,300
Provenance
Private Collection Stuttgart, Germany (before 1960)Size
H: 22 cm
D: 11,5 cm
H: 8.7 inch
D: 4.5 inch
Description
wood, coconut shell, putty mass, minor missing part, rest.
A specimen very similar in design, collected in 1899, is in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum, inv. no. VI 17405 (see ill.: Kaufmann, 2002, p. 131, fig. 38).
Nevermann reports that it was customary to present guests with such elaborate spoons as a gift at great festivities.