Description: This is an old hand carved round dark wood tribal repaired Dep Dep Betel Mortar or Paint Dish from Lower Sepik River of Papua New Guinea. These dishes or cups are carved out of a single piece of wood with clan designs and ancestor figures. Peoples throughout the Sepik region use betel nut, the fruit of the Areca palm, which is chewed with lime made from burnt shells or coral and other substances to produce a mild stimulant effect. Sepik peoples create a variety of betel nut chewing accessories. This cup like figure is a betel nut mortar, used by individuals who have lost their teeth to aid in chewing betel nut. When chewing, the individual periodically places the nut and a small quantity of lime in the mortar and crushes it with a pestle to release the active ingredients before placing it back in the mouth. Some betel nut mortars, carried by male elders, served as marks of secular and religious authority, and are adorned with images of spirits, ancestors, or other supernatural beings, some also had magical properties. The dishes were also used to mix paint when the were doing their body and face painting decorations. All individually carved and used by the older men. The men would do the mixing of the paint and it would be the Deities and or Ancestors holding up the the Dep Dep dish to protect and enhance its purpose. This Dep Dep dish is so unique and nowadays very hard to find. This Dep Dep is at least 10to 15 years old. This Betel Nut or Paint dish is round and very unique and would be a wonderful addition to your collection. This dish was collected in the field and has a red plastic wire around it and crack down back. 6 1/2" tall 2" wide 2" deep AT BACARA WE STAND BEHIND ALL OF OUR MERCHANDISE. WE CAN PROVIDE REFERENCES FOR ALL ARTIFACTS THAT WE SELL, AS WELL AS DOCUMENTATION TOWARD THEIR AUTHENTICITY. FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS. YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MAIN GOAL, AND WE THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT THE WORLD OF BACARA.
Price: 43.66 USD
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
End Time: 2024-02-18T00:25:50.000Z
Shipping Cost: 8 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
Color: Dark Wood Tone
Material: Wood
Original/Reproduction: Original