Shuttle, early 20th Century
Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, Oceania
Wood; 28 3/…

Fishing Line Spooler

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-fishing equipment

Dateearly 20th Century

Made AtMorobe Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood

Dimensions28 3/8 x 1 1/4 x 1/2 in. (72.1 x 3.2 x 1.3 cm)

Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase

Object number2012.21.1

DescriptionIn the Milne Bay Province, the inhabitants of Massim region are known for their distinctive style of wood carving, often referred to as the Massim style. This unique art style is distinguished by the use of a caving method known as low-relief carving—in which designs are carved into the wood and project on slightly from the background. This method of carving requires meticulous planning beforehand and great skill tool manipulation to achieve desired effect. This object is tool used a line spool for fishing line collected from Massim Area, Gawa Island, Marshall Bennett Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea and dates back to the mid-twentieth century. It consists of two pieces of wood curved in and tapered towards the ends. They are connected in the middle by a wooden block with a small hole at either end. More research should be conducted on this particular object. The shape of the spool may have been useful to quickly reel in line for fishing activity, such as kite-fishing.

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