PAPUA NEW GUINEA LIME SPATULAS. Three lime spatulas from Eastern New Guinea. These spatulas are tools used in the practice of betel nut chewing, a common custom in Melanesian and other Pacific cultures. They are used to extract powdered lime from a container, which is then added to a betel quid (a mixture of areca nut, betel leaf, and lime). The lime enhances the stimulating effect of the betel nut. The spatulas are made of wood and feature intricate carvings on their handles. These carvings often have symbolic or cultural significance, and can depict ancestral figures, animals, or other motifs. The spatulas themselves can also be considered objects of art and are sometimes collected as such.
