RARE New Guinea Markham Valley Lime Spatula
Origin: New Guinea, Morobe Province, Markham Valley
(Provenance: Faith Dorian-Wright collection, New York. The Wrights were mavericks in collecting oceanic art early on. Pieces from their collection are at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Faith-Dorian Wright (1934-2006) was an accomplished artist and was introduced to the arts of Africa by her art teachers in the 1950s. Together with her husband Martin Wright (1930-2018), they assembled their collection mainly in the 1960s and 1970s. Most of their early acquisitions coming from the famous New York dealer John J. Klejman.
Period: Early 20th century
Materials: Fire hardened Palmwood, traces of lime infill at the base
Description: This slender old lime stick has beautiful form. It looks like it could have almost been made in Central Polynesia in fact! It features 4 relief-carved bowtie-like elements, similar to what is seen on God Staffs. It retains it delicate top finial where beads and shell wealth would have been attached. Showing soft wear and use having acquired a reddish brown tone turning to black. Lustrous patina. Presented on a custom metal display stand. See the other "two" lime spatulas I have for sale.
Dimensions: Height 14.25” (36 cm), Width .75” (1.7 cm)