Lime spatula

Museum number:
11-41003
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21110041003
Accession number:
Acc.2519
Description:
Lime spatula, wood; lower half of spatula is flattened on both sides retaining rectangular shape; the upper half is rounded through tapering to point at end; upper half is carved with two bands of zigzags and four circles resembling a snake’s head; 26 cm long. Lime is placed on the end of spatula in betel nut chewing process.
Donor:
Daniel L. Adler
Collection place:
Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua Region
Culture or time period:
New Guinea, Papua Island
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Lime spatulas
Function:
5.5 Stimulants, Narcotics, and Accessories
Accession date:
1969
Department:
Oceania
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 3 titled Lime spatula, accession number 11-41003, described as Lime spatula, wood; lower half of spatula is flattened on both sides retaining rectangular shape; the upper half is rounded through tapering to point at end; upper half is carved with two bands of zigzags and four circles resembling a snake’s head; 26 cm long. Lime is placed on the end of spatula in betel nut chewing process.Hearst Museum object 2 of 3 titled Lime spatula, accession number 11-41003, described as Lime spatula, wood; lower half of spatula is flattened on both sides retaining rectangular shape; the upper half is rounded through tapering to point at end; upper half is carved with two bands of zigzags and four circles resembling a snake’s head; 26 cm long. Lime is placed on the end of spatula in betel nut chewing process.Hearst Museum object 3 of 3 titled Lime spatula, accession number 11-41003, described as Lime spatula, wood; lower half of spatula is flattened on both sides retaining rectangular shape; the upper half is rounded through tapering to point at end; upper half is carved with two bands of zigzags and four circles resembling a snake’s head; 26 cm long. Lime is placed on the end of spatula in betel nut chewing process.

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