A fine and rare Adzera Lime Spatula, Papua New Guinea

the spatula with ridged handle surmounted by a male standing figure;
'M 1542 ANTIRAN V. KAIAPIT' in white pigment on reverse; fine varied brown patina with residue.

Stanley Gordon Moriarty (1906-1978), Sidney 
Mark Wiesman, Omaha
Anthony Meyer, Paris
Werner Muensterberger, New York

excellent condition overall; hairline crack through head and body of figure, on top of head field repair with metal wire; fine varied brown patina with residue.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

According to Boylan and North (1997: 74), "Stan Moriarty's life spanned the most critical period of New Guinea's contemporary history. He died in 1978, three years after Papua New Guinea gained independence, having fulfilled his extraordinary desire to share his understanding of the important, yet fragile nature of Highlands culture. Through his systematic collecting of material culture from the region, he ensured the survival of a unique aspect of Melanesian art [...]. At the age of sixteen Moriarty first encountered Melanesian art at the Museum of Victoria. Inspired, he began collecting wherever he could from curio and antique shops [...]. Moriarty did not make his first journey to New Guinea until 1961, when in his fifties. This was the first of regular pilgrimages over the next eleven years. His friendship with kiaps enabled him to travel to remote and restricted areas and gave him access to previously uncollected art forms."

According to John Friede (personal communication, March 9, 2008), the offered lime spatula can be attributed to the Adzera, a people living in the Markham Valley of the Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea. The inscription on the reverse of the spatula refers to Kaiapit, an administrative center, and Antigran (in the inscription misspelled as "Antiran"), a local village. Both places are populated by Adzera-language speakers.