Finial from a Lime Spatula
- Artist Culture
- Massim Area artist
- Date
- probably late 19th to early 20th century
- Material
- Wood and traces of lime
- Classification
- Sculpture, wood
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm)
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 1336:1983
NOTES
In the Massim region, as in much of Island Melanesia, lime is chewed together with betel nut and the pepper flower. The lime releases an active ingredient in the betel nut to roduce a stimulant. A lime spatula is used by men to take the lime from its gourd container and place it into their mouths.
Provenance
by 1972 - 1983
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA [1]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, bequest of Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] Morton D. May lent this object to the Saint Louis Art Museum in 1972 [loan number 1972.1001].
[2] Last Will and Testament of M. D. May dated June 11, 1982 [copy, May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, September 20, 1983.
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA [1]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, bequest of Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] Morton D. May lent this object to the Saint Louis Art Museum in 1972 [loan number 1972.1001].
[2] Last Will and Testament of M. D. May dated June 11, 1982 [copy, May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, September 20, 1983.