Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Irian Jaya, Asmat peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. Carved from the thigh bone of a huge cassowary bird (moruk in tok pisin), this is a dagger made to be traditionally worn on the upper arm, secured via a woven band, or occasionally around the neck. The upper portion is wrapped with bark string and tassels made of stone beads; twine and cassowary feathers dangle from the top. As a tool, bone daggers would have been used for hunting, combat, ceremonial sacrifices, digging, and/or dancing (singsing) decorations. Also here is a chopper, made from a matte black stone and wrapped in woven bark string with colorful strands of straw through it. Displayed inside a shadow box. Size of dagger: 14.25" H (36.2 cm); size of chopper: 6.5" H (16.5 cm); size of shadow box: 13.9" W x 16.9" H (35.3 cm x 42.9 cm)

Provenance: private Chico, California, USA collection

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#137446

  • Condition: Dagger has nice patina on bone surface. Woven material shows some signs of wear, but in general is in nice condition and the weaving around the chopper looks excellent. Items have not been examined outside of the shadow box, and they are zip tied to the interior of the shadow box.

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November 8, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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