Clapper spatula, Milne Bay Province Ebony wood Height:... Lot 5

Clapper spatula, Milne Bay Province Ebony wood Height: 400mm 20th century Provenance: Ex private collection: Ex private collection. England Used exclusively by chiefs, their insignia echoing their importance, "clappers" created a sound to let other people know of their approach, thus clearing the way for them. The hollowed-out handle served as a percussion box. With the spatula held by the blade, the handle was struck on a hard surface (or on the hand) so that the two parts of the handle clashed, producing a sharp snap. The handle is cut and partially hollowed out along its entire length, with two curvilinear, solid, decorated excrescences, enhanced with white pigments, subtly decorating the whole.