Container Item Number: 3610/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Intricately pyro-engraved gourd container with boar tusk stopper. The design wraps around the middle of the gourd with repeating designs of spiral patterns with ends that meet to create a 'v' or point. Above the v is a small circular design which connects to each spiral design. Between the designs are concentric circles. The designs are set in between horizontal bands. The lid is composed of coiled plant fibre wrapped with a small woven yellow and black checkerboard pattern around the exterior and a boar tusk inserted at centre.
Used by villagers to store lime, to facilitate betel nut chewing, a practice in which areca nuts (betel nuts) are chewed together with slaked lime and betel leaves, as a stimulant.
Collected by the donor in 1976-1980, when she and her husband were living in Bougainville, where her husband worked as a mining engineer; some of the pieces were gifted to them.