Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Milne Bay Province, Trobriand Islands (sometimes Kiriwina Islands), Massim people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden betel nut pounder or pestle tool with an anthropomorphic head surmounted on the top. The elongated shaft is thick and tapers to a slightly pointed tip. The head finial handle has a rounded forehead and pointed chin, the features are incised and highlighted in a white pigment. The nose consists of a straight ridge with scarification marks or tattoos on either side, circular eyes, and U-shaped marks across the brow. The surface has developed a lustrous dark espresso brown hue and is quite smooth from use. Betel nuts are chewed throughout southeastern Asia for its mild narcotic effect and tools to grind the nuts and mix in lime powder were often decorated with human figures or other symbolic objects, such as canoes. Size: 10.75" L x 1.75" W (27.3 cm x 4.4 cm); 13.5" H (34.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Jersey City, New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Marcia and John Friede collection, New York, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#169907

  • Condition: Minor abrasions and stable pressure fissures, otherwise intact and very good. Smooth and lustrous patina from use. Remains of white pigments on face.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 3, 2022 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000