19thC DOUBLE EBONY SPATULA, Trobriand Islands

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

Double Ebony Spatula, Trobriand Islands, 19th Century

This elegant and rare Massim lime spatula is carved from a dark, dense ebony timber and features two finely modelled squatting figures rising symmetrically from a central engraved ring. Though subtly varied in scale and detailing, the figures mirror each other in form, with the asymmetry characteristic of early traditional 
carving adding a dynamic quality. The work is richly ornamented with incised scroll motifs,
double bird-head finials, and precisely carved ears, hands, and feet—hallmarks of a highly skilled artist.The spatula bears evidence of use, with the lower end darkened from frequent handling and stained with the residual red hue of lime and betel nut mixture.

This spatula was photographed by Harry Beran in 1995 and published in “Mutuaga”(Beran)
He identified it as one of only five known
double-figure lime spatulas which he attributed to a single, highly distinctive late 19th-century artist, whom he termed the “Master of the Interlocking Scrolls.” Of the five examples, two have early documented provenance: one in the Museum of Mankind, London (accession no. Oc1896.C3.1017), and another in the Pigorini Museum, Rome, collected by Lamberto Loria in 1891 on Woodlark Island.

Of particular relevance is a closely related spatula illustrated in “Massim”, Douglas Newton, Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1975 (illus. 18), and later sold at Christie’s, Paris, 19 June 2014, Lot 113. The close correspondence in stylistic treatment, compositional balance, and fine detailing confirms that both works were carved by the same anonymous master— identified by Harry Beran as the ‘Master of the Interlocking Scrolls’.

Published: “Mutuaga: A Nineteenth Century New Guinea Master Carver”, Harry Beran, University of Wollongong, 1996, p. 196.

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