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THB20th C. Gilbert Island Wooden Knife - Tiger Shark Teeth
Lot 120b
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:
$4,000 - $6,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jul 19, 2018
Set Reminder
2018-07-19 10:00:00
2018-07-19 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities/Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ethnographic-art-3329
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (395)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Micronesia, Gilbert Island, ca. early 20th century CE. A beautiful hand-carved wooden knife blade repurposed from an 18th century spear point. The knife has a stocky handle, a thin ovoid guard, and a tapered triangular knife "blade" with a tiered finial. The edges of the blade are lined with ten pierced tiger shark teeth secured with string, each with pointed tips and finely-serrated edges. Knives like this example were typically used for hand-to-hand combat, though the small size of the knife and downward orientation of the teeth suggests this was a defensive implement. Covered in a lustrous patina, this is a fabulous example from Micronesia! Size: 2.25" W x 9.375" H (5.7 cm x 23.8 cm).
Some researchers have noted the similarities in shape between these weaponized shark teeth and traditional Gilbert Island canoe sails. This type of knife was used during ceremonial warfare, when ritual duels took place in order to maintain honor. Along with these weapons, warriors ware 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. Shark teeth were sewn into the backs of the armor gloves for when the fighting got close. 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 Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hawaii, 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.
#136602Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, small losses to finial and bottom of handle, with minor chips and nicks across most wooden surfaces, and some light yellowing to teeth. Nice lustrous patina across most wooden areas. Old inventory sticker on handle.Condition
- Shipping Info
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