Malaita Island, Solomon Islands
Late 19th century
Height: 13.5 inches (34 cm)
Provenance: New Zealand private collection
For those who collect Solomon Islands art, you will recognize the scarcity of figurative sculpture from Malaita. Only a handful of these figurative betel nut mortars from the island are known. This example is particularly fine with an elegantly carved female figure supporting the mortar. Her eyes are inset with small white trade beads, and the figure is adorned with a necklace of larger trade beads. The mortar is well used, and the figure has taken on a well-worn glossy patina from decades of handling.
Malaita Island, Solomon Islands
Late 19th century
Height: 13.5 inches (34 cm)
Provenance: New Zealand private collection
For those who collect Solomon Islands art, you will recognize the scarcity of figurative sculpture from Malaita. Only a handful of these figurative betel nut mortars from the island are known. This example is particularly fine with an elegantly carved female figure supporting the mortar. Her eyes are inset with small white trade beads, and the figure is adorned with a necklace of larger trade beads. The mortar is well used, and the figure has taken on a well-worn glossy patina from decades of handling.
