Rare Oro lime spatula with grooved handle. (NJF)

Rare Oro lime spatula with grooved handle. The decoration on this circa 1950 example has obviously been influenced by the scrollwork designs found on Massim spatulas in the neighboring Milne Bay area, but it has three uniquely Oro features, two of which can be found in the top section of the handle.

The first of these elements is the two rows of WWW motifs, one each above and below the top scrolls of the design – this is a very typical icon in of Oro province design. The second is the groove carved on either side of the handle and pierced for attachments (see close up). As Dr Harry Beran points out in “The Art of Oro Province – A Preliminary Typology” (Oceanic art Society, 2009), “Some spatulas. clearly of Oro origin, have the curvilinear interlocking scrolls typical of Massim spatulas. One distinguishing Oro feature (in some examples) is a handle that has a groove running along the edge, thus, in fact, creating two edges with holes to which tassels can be attached.”

Finally, the third distinctive feature is the visual separation of the blade from the handle, a feature which is can also be found in Admiralty Islands spatulas although these are stylistically quite different.

Length 33 cm/ 13 inches.9

* The disc can be ordered for only $15 inc. mailing at www.oceanicartsociety.org.au

Price:$330.00 AUD
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