This ancient stone pestle was made in Papua New Guinea sometime between 3000 and 8000 years ago.
New Guinea has one of the oldest histories of food production in the world. Humans began exploiting plants like yams and taro soon after arriving there over 40,000 years ago, and began growing crops as early as 9000 years ago.
A tool for pounding plants, the pestle is formed in the shape of bird, and may represent a spiritual being. Birds, particularly birds of paradise, are central to many traditional cultures in Papua New Guinea. This reminds us of the close cultural ties between food production, ritual and ceremony. Rather than everyday food preparation, it may have been used to pound healing remedies or to prepare ritual substances.
Above and behind the stone pestle is a Tetale bird figure: an elaborate ornament worn over the head during important dema rituals of the Marind Anim people of West Papua. Dema are the ancestors of particular clans and subclans and are associated with specific totems. This tetale represents a bird dema who transforms into a man and a stork, allowing the wearer to connect with nature and gain power in fertility rituals.
As well as a cultural treasure, this item is also a treasure of conservation. It is made of extremely fragile materials and has been painstakingly restored. Each of the decorative seeds was individually reset into its resin base, restoring the bird to its original glory.