Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Jiwaka Province, Wahgi people, ca. early 20th century CE. A grey-green slate axe set into a wooden cavity that extends outward, mirroring the blade shape at one end, and providing a counterweight to the heavy blade. The wood is wrapped in woven binding made from dried vines, most of them pale in color, with darker weave forming geometric patterns on the woven surface. A narrow, cylindrical wood handle at a ninety degree angle to the axe head provides a hand hold. The stone for this axe was probably quarried in the Manginbor area, and battleaxes like this one are made mainly in the villages of Mangarvigar and Gumbigai. Size: 28" W x 24.75" H (71.1 cm x 62.9 cm)

See a very similar example at the Art Gallery of New South Wales: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/311.1978/

Provenance: private, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

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#126625

  • Condition: Lucite prop not included. Axe head has been reattached. Edge of blade has small losses. Wicker and wood handle have slight patina and signs of wear on surface from age and handling.

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September 14, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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