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THBGilbert Islands Shark Tooth Short Sword, ca. 1940s
Lot 112
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:
$500 - $700
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| Price | Bid Increment |
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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
Feb 25, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-02-25 10:00:00
2021-02-25 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : American Frontier | Ethnographic | Tribal Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/american-frontier-ethnographic-tribal-art-6449
Featuring historical examples from the American, Spanish, and Mexican frontiers, as well as Native American, Ethnographic, Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, more. All items offered for sale have been legally acquired, are legal to sell and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring historical examples from the American, Spanish, and Mexican frontiers, as well as Native American, Ethnographic, Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, more. All items offered for sale have been legally acquired, are legal to sell and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (286)
- Lot Description
South Pacific, Gilbert Islands, ca. 1940s. An exquisite carved-coconut wood short sword wrapped in vegetal leaves of tan and purple hues. Presenting a slender form with a tapered tip, the fine weapon features a series of short, frayed vegetal reeds as a hand guard, while eighteen equidistantly-spaced shark teeth line each edge of the blade. Each shark's tooth was painstakingly sewn into place using 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: 2.125" W x 17" H (5.4 cm x 43.2 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 sword 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. Interestingly, 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.
#142593Tearing and losses to vegetal reeds on side of handle and tip of sword commensurate with age and use. Otherwise excellent.Condition
- Shipping Info
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