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THBFramed Early 20th C. Gilbert Islands Shark Tooth Sword
Lot 140b
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:
$1,200 - $1,800
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Aug 6, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-08-06 11:00:00
2019-08-06 11:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : VARIETY SALE | Antiquities & Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/variety-sale-antiquities-ethnographic-art-4326
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges... Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges... Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (387)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Gilbert Islands, ca. early 20th century CE. This is the finest example I have ever seen of one of my favorite weapons! A sword made from a thick shaft of coconut wood, wrapped in tightly woven rattan, and studded on its two blade edges with vertical rows of tightly-spaced shark teeth. These are held in place by thin vertical bars of coconut wood. Shark teeth also stud the lower part of the wide, curved guard. 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 of weapon: 7.75" W x 22.75" H (19.7 cm x 57.8 cm); size of included frame: 14.4" W x 30.5" H (36.6 cm x 77.5 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. 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.
#146485Excellent condition. Very slight fraying to the thread along the handle and missing a single shark tooth from low on the blade, otherwise perfect. Please note that it has not been examined outside of the frame.Condition
- Shipping Info
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