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THB20th C. Gilbert Island Shark Tooth Sword
Lot 195
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$800 - $1,200
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| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Sep 27, 2018
Set Reminder
2018-09-27 10:00:00
2018-09-27 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/antiquities-asian-ethnographic-3469
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (390)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Gilbert Islands, ca. 20th century CE. One of my favorite items! A spear made from a thick shaft of coconut wood, studded with two vertical rows of dozens of tightly-spaced shark's teeth that rise nearly the full length of the blade, which ultimately tapers to a point. A wicker-wrapped handle is at the base. Each shark's tooth has been painstakingly sewn into place using te koro, twine made from coconut fiber. The wood was shaped using stone knives. 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: 1.85" W x 23.75" H (4.7 cm x 60.3 cm); 25" H (63.5 cm) on included custom stand.
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. Some historical photographs of the full costume are available here: https://wiki.ucl.ac.uk/display/BBCollabSupport/An+Ethnographic+Analysis+of+a+Kiribati+Shark-Toothed+Sword
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#135777Six of the teeth are broken/partially lost. Slight wear to the wicker on the handle, else in excellent condition.Condition
- Shipping Info
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