Oro Province, Papua New Guinea. This large spatula, definitely old and going back to early 20th Century.
It was once in the collection of Harry Beran. The expert on Massim art. He decided not to keep this piece, though he greatly admired it, because it was outside his.
Specific region of his study and collection. It originated along the Oro coast, westwards of the Massim region of eastern Papua. The animal depicted is hard to recognise, and is most probably a morphed image of several which give the spatula. The engraving is very fine. The spatula has been used over many years, as the base shows layers. Made of a dense hardwood. Size: 46 cm (length) 12 cm (width).Weight 206 grams (without stand).