Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, West Sumatra, Mentawai Islands, South Pagai (Pagai-Selatan) Islands, Mentawai peoples, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful example of a traditional Mentawai knife known as a palitai with a sheath and handle carved from lustrous, caramel-hued wood. The handle bulges slightly and curves downwards towards the double-edged steel blade which features a slight midrib and a tapered, pointed tip. The form of the sheath mirrors that of the blade but with a pair of gentle protrusions that taper dramatically to a tip ornamented with an ovoid ungulate bone disc. Beautiful patina covers both the handle and sheath. Size (w/ sheath): 1.25" W x 19.2" H (3.2 cm x 48.8 cm); (blade): 11.1" L (28.2 cm)

Provenance: private Nevada, USA collection

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#152203

  • Condition: Repair to one side of sheath, with chips and adhesive residue along break lines. Nicks and abrasions to blade and sheath, with minor separation to repaired side of sheath, and light encrustations on blade. Nice patina throughout. Old label on sheath reads "S. Pagai Palitai."

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September 10, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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