Mortar pestle in Betel, Aire Massim - Lot 202

Lot n° 202
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Estimation :
150 - 250 EUR
Mortar pestle in Betel, Aire Massim - Lot 202
Mortar pestle in Betel, Aire Massim Papua New Guinea Carved wood and pigments Early 20th century Height: 36.8 cm This mortar pestle consists of a straight handle, flaring at the end, topped by an anthropomorphic figure carved in the round, with hands tucked under the chin. The effigy, whose solemn attitude is in keeping with the stylistic canons of the corpus, reinforces the vertical hieraticism of the composition. The schematically treated body skilfully plays with solids and voids, incorporating openwork spaces and finely engraved motifs enhanced with white pigments, in contrast to the richly browned ebony wood. Mortar and pestle are the tools used to chew betel nut in the Massim region of southeastern Papua New Guinea. They are used to crush the ingredients used in the preparation of chique, namely betel nut, mustard plants and quicklime, which when mixed together produce a bright red hue with very positive symbolism - a sign of beauty and wisdom. Chewing is a daily activity that begins at an early age and continues into old age. It is also part of esoteric practices, with the magical mixture prepared in similar mortars and administered to enhance the talents and qualities of individuals.
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