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THB20th C. Gilbert Islands Shark Tooth & Wood Short Sword
Lot 167c
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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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$550 - $800
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $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
Jan 21, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-01-21 10:00:00
2021-01-21 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-6316
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine art, 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, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine art, 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 (347)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Gilbert Islands, ca. 1940s. An intimidating short sword made from a well-carved shaft of coconut wood and studded with two vertical rows of equidistantly-spaced shark teeth rising along opposite edges of the blade, which ultimately tapers to a point. A diamond-shaped hand guard separates the blade from the tubular handle. Each shark's tooth has been painstakingly sewn into place using te koro, twine made from coconut fiber, and 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: 22.75" L x 1.5" W (57.8 cm x 3.8 cm)
Some researchers have noted the similarities in shape between shark teeth and canoe sails, which were supported on masts of coconut wood. This type of weapon 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. What's more, sharks teeth were sewn into the backs of the armor gloves too!
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.
#142592Missing one tooth and a chip and loss to another tooth. Fraying of fiber cord. Minor nicks and abrasions to wood handle. Most teeth retain their serrated edges and pointed tips.Condition
- Shipping Info
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