OLD BETEL MORTARS, papua New Guinea

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

BETELNUT MORTARS, from different regions of New Guinea

a)    17 x 5.5 x 5.5cm Massim    $ 1,000    

b)    24 x 9 x 6cm Abelam           $ 2,600

c)     24 x 9 x 6cm Sepik              $ 2,500

Betel mortars are small wooden objects featuring a small bowl often combined with detailed artistic representations of ancestors, spirits or totemic animals. Betel nut, lime and mustard are ground into a paste that older people without teeth can scoop into their mouths creating a mild stimulating effect.

A)       Betel Mortar, Trobriand Islands. Collected by Helen Dennett in 1972, Featuring a large undulating snake below which are several. Very fine small figures, complete with an old well-used spatula.

B)       Betel Mortar, Abelam people

Stone-carved, 19^th C, this rare Abelam example incorporates two stylised human figures supporting the bowl.  Ex-Elizabeth Pryce collection, Sydney

C)      Betel Mortar, Coastal Sepik.

Stone-carved, 19thC, this mortar depicts three animated squatting figures supporting the curved bow. The bowl encrustation and the mortar’s overall deep patina show long personal use. Ex-important Tahitian collection.

SOLD

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