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THB19th C. Gilbert Islands Wood & Shark Tooth Weapon
Lot 297
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
May 20, 2021
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2021-05-20 10:00:00
2021-05-20 10:00:00
America/New_York
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Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (343)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Gilbert Islands, ca. late 19th century CE. A unique example of a remarkable weapon known as a te unun made from 4 thick shafts of coconut wood held together with the skin of a manta ray and rattan, each studded with vertical rows of tightly spaced shark teeth bound by a fiber from the outer husk of a coconut called coir and edged with ribs of coconut leaves. The intriguing weapon presents with a lengthy, cylindrical shaft at its center that is carved to a sharp point at each end, which is then attached to 3 flat, curved rods, 1 longer and 2 shorter. The central blade features 4 shark tooth-lined blade edges, while the attached shafts each have 2. Each shark tooth has been painstakingly sewn into place using te koro, twine made from coconut fiber. It is amazing that the creators of this weapon were able to drill through the shark teeth in such a uniform fashion, given the hardness of the material. Size: 26.25" L x 8.25" W (66.7 cm x 21 cm)
Some researchers have noted the similarities in shape between shark teeth and canoe sails, which were also supported on masts of coconut wood. This type of spear was used during ceremonial warfare, when ritual duels took place in order to maintain honor. Along with these weapons, warriors wore suits of armor made from thickly woven coconut fiber and a belt made from stingray skin, as well as a helmet made from a hollowed-out, dried puffer fish. Sharks teeth were sewn into the backs of the armor gloves too.
A similar weapon can be found at the British Museum under museum number Oc,LMS.10.
Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010; ex-Haig's of Rochester, Rochester, Michigan, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#163988Top third of one blade edge of central shaft missing. Losses to 25 shark teeth. Some fraying of coir and rattan. Most teeth retain their serrated edges and pointed tips. Otherwise, very nice with great patina on wood.Condition
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