A Superb Antique Massim Wealth Spatula Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea

A Superb Antique Massim Wood and Red Shell Money Wealth Spatula from the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea

This beautiful Wealth Spatula is called Ghena Ngaa is one of the most elegant forms of traditional wealth made in New Guinea.  The form is of an upturned canoe and was used primarily as a wealth item that is presented to a widow as the final bride price payment when her husband dies.

The final funeral ceremonies can take years to plan as it requires large amounts of traditional food to feed the many guests for the ceremony that can last up to one week. The feast essentially cleans the widow allowing her to remarry.  The Ghena are the most important objects kept by families in memory of the dead.

Ghena is made in both wood & turtle shell and both are made solely to display the beautiful red shell money discs that represent not only great wealth but the traditional status of the family of the deceased.

This fine example I have kept this for a very long time just to enjoy looking at it each day.

Provenance:  The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art 

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