TROBRIAND ISLANDS, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

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The chewing of betel nut (Areca catechu) has been practiced across much of Asia and the Pacific for thousands of years. Wrapped in betel leaves (Piper betle) and mixed with lime, slices of the nut are chewed for the mild psychoactive and stimulating effect the mixture produces. A frequent and ubiquitous indulgence, many cultures have placed a significant degree of importance upon the chewing of betel nut, and have ascribed to it certain metaphorical and spiritual meanings. In the Solomon Islands, betel nut plays a role in gift-giving ceremonies such as betrothal and propitiatory offerings to spirits.

Melanesian artists applied a great deal of artistic energy to the production of betel nut paraphernalia, the most iconic of which is the lime spatula. This implement is used to extract a dose of lime (made from burnt shells or coral) from a container to be added to the betel packet. The handles and finials of spatulas, which are sometimes quite large, are often carved with elaborate figural or abstract designs distinctive to the maker’s region.

This example is from the Trobriand Islands, now known as the Kiriwina Islands. It shows an exquisitely carved handle depicting a stylized humanoid figure in crouching posture, its body adorned with incised scrolling wave motifs. The tongue of the spatula extends downward in an elongated teardrop shape, growing elegantly from a narrow, delicate junction beneath the figure out to a paddle-like fullness. Old tag, partially illegible, reads ‘Isle of Savo Solomon’.