Pilon à bétel, îles Trobriand ou d'Entrecasteaux, Aire Massim , Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée

Ernst Ohly, Londres, 1961
Collection Peter et Veena Schnell, Zurich
Sotheby's, Paris, 5 décembre 2003, n° 245
Galerie Meyer, Paris
Collection Harry Beran, Cambridge
Collection Marcia et John Friede, New York

Very good condition overall; wear consistent with age and use within the culture: old small and well patinated loss to the proper left nostril; some wear to the blackened surface of the shaft, as visible in the catalogue illustration.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

La dynamique verticale est accentuée par le mouvement des bras ajourés et des mains repliées sous le menton, conduisant le regard vers le visage aux traits imposant. A la souplesse des lignes répond la puissance de la face épannelée aux traits finement sculptés, la bouche entrouverte sur des dents signifiées. Les motifs curvilinéaires ornant le buste et les bras sont mis en valeur par la patine brillante du bois d'ébène. Les pilons sont employés pour broyer dans le mortier la noix de bétel avec de la chaux, puis pour porter à la bouche le mélange obtenu (Beran in Peltier et Morin, 2006 : 420). Selon Harry Beran, ce pilon à bétel, datant du XIX^e siècle, se distingue par l'exceptionnelle qualité de sa sculpture, (communication personnelle, octobre 2010).  

Betel pestle, Trobriand or Entrecasteaux Islands, Massim, Papua New Guinea

The dynamic vertical of the form is accentuated by the movement of the folded arms and the hands held under the chin, which lead the eye towards the imposing features of the face. The suppleness of the lines meets the power of the facial expression, displaying finely carved features; the mouth partly open to show the bared teeth. The curvilinear motifs adorning the torso and arms are enhanced by the brilliant patina of the ebony wood.  Pestles were used to grind the betel nut in the mortar with the lime, then as a tool to lift the obtained mixture up to the mouth (Beran in Peltier et Morin, 2006:420). According to Harry Beran, this betel pestle is from the 19^th century, and is distinguished by the exceptional quality of its sculpture, (personal communication, October 2010).