Sago Ladle

ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-utensils-ladles

Culture Massim

Date20th Century

Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Collection SiteMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood

Dimensions71 1/8 × 4 13/16 × 1/2 in. (180.7 × 12.2 × 1.3 cm)

Credit LineCollected on behalf of the Bowers Museum by the Roski-Keller-Martin Expedition

Object number2014.12.25

DescriptionLarge ladles were used during funeral feasts as part of the sago preparation process. The ladles were typically handled by two people who would mix the food up and down in a ritualized manner that would create a sort of dance. Ladles were originally made with seed or shell attachments on the handles, but it is now quite rare to find a completely intact example. Many known examples of ladles feature openwork carving, which is not seen on this example.

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