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THB20th C. Gilbert Islands Sword - Coconut w/ Fish Spines
Lot 109g
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:
$1,100 - $1,650
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Nov 8, 2018
Set Reminder
2018-11-08 10:00:00
2018-11-08 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-3598
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! 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! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (427)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Gilbert Islands, ca. mid 20th century CE. One of my favorite items! A spear made from a thick shaft of coconut wood, studded with two vertical rows of tightly-spaced fish spines that rise roughly three-quarters of the way up the blade length; as the blade tapers to a point, they cease. A wide, flat handle is at the base, wrapped tightly in woven twine; the spines are affixed using dual-colored twine. Size: 2" W x 34.5" H (5.1 cm x 87.6 cm); 36.75" H (93.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Some researchers have noted the similarities in shape between fish spines 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 thicky woven coconut fiber and a belt made from stingray skin, as well as a hemlet made from a hollowed-out, dried puffer fish. Shark teeth were sewn into the backs of the armor gloves. 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.
#136133Many of the spines are partially broken as shown. One side of the point has some compression.Condition
- Shipping Info
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