Kaipita, Betel Mortar, Massim, Trobriand Islands

wood
20” / 50.8 cm

I have had this object for about 20 years. I originally bought it because during a time I was drawn to maternity figures and I really liked the character of this object. It’s not an area that I know much about at all, so the following description comes from an old example on Bruce Frank’s website:

”A traditional part of an older man’s personal paraphernalia in New Guinea and the Trobriands was his spatula, mortar and pestle that he used for betel chewing, a custom practiced on social and ritual occasions. This example is in the form of a squatting human figure, most mortars are classified as being one of two other design types – drum or canoe shape.

The presence of human-like features in betel nut chewing equipment also indicates that it was potentially used in the practice of black magic. Carved faces or figures are associated to evil spirits known as “Gamagelina”, in Kiriwina, one of the main islands in the Massim region. Gamagelina are bespelled by the owner of the mortar, who “feeds” them some betel nut. The evil spirits will then come to life and harm the person targeted by the performer of the spell.” - link to source

When I purchased this object it was said to have come from a Sotheby’s Parke-Bernet auction in the 70s. It has an old-school label on it with the number “508”, and a sticker on the bottom with “1880-10”. I have no guess as to the age of it, but I’m selling it for what I purchased it for 20 years ago since Oceanic objects are not part of my collecting focus.

$350 plus shipping