Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Admiralty Islands, Manus Province, ca. 19th century CE. An intriguing obsidian-bladed knife (known locally as a gudom or katjo) with a paranarium nut resin handle colored with earthy red, charcoal, and lime powder pigment. The knapped blade has sharpened edges and tapers to one side before terminating in a pointed tip. The resinous handle wraps around one end of the blade and exhibits a soft yet textured feel that facilitates the grip of its wielder. Incised linear and zigzagging motifs decorate both sides of the handle. Lucite display stand for photography purposes only. Size: 9.6" L x 1.875" W (24.4 cm x 4.8 cm)

For a stylistically similar example, please see The British Museum, museum number Oc1928,0314.54

For another stylistically similar example with a figural handle, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1978.412.752

Provenance: private Honolulu, Hawaii, USA collection

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#149546

  • Condition: Nicks to handle and blade, with small chips to blade edges, and several petite hairline fissures on handle, otherwise intact and very good. Nice remains of pigment on handle.

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July 9, 2020 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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