Papua New Guinea, South Pacific, ca. 1875 to 1925 CE. Very fine and rare carved wooden tapa beater in the form of a turtle. Long neck which acted as the handle extends from carved carapace, legs tucked under the sides and pointed tail emerging from the rear. Very nice old patina. Old label on base reads " New Guinea Mallet, ~ 19th Century." Size: 12.5" L x 3.25" H (31.8 cm x 8.3 cm).
Provenance: Ex-Paul and Louise Bernheimer collection, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA., acquired before 1980.
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