Lot 270

Description

Papua New Guinea, two cassowary-bone daggers, Two long-bone daggers attributed in accompanying collector documentation to the Biawat people of New Guinea and described as being fashioned from cassowary leg bone. The first, approximately 31cm long and weighing 355g, has a modelled clay head or terminal with applied shell and fibre decoration and traces of pigment. The second, approximately 32cm long and weighing 125g, has an incised surface and dark, extensive patination. The explanatory label describes these as traditional daggers and refers also to exchange or monetary use. The darker incised dagger shows substantial patination, handling wear and surface abrasions. The more elaborately decorated example has wear and losses to applied ornamentation and pigment, with age-related deterioration of clay and fibre elements. Completeness and age have not been independently established. Fine to good (2)

Ex Alan McRae collection.