Oceania, Papua New Guinea, possibly Maprik/Wosera area, Abelam and Arapesh peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A fine gathering of three short daggers carved from the thigh bone of a cassowary bird ("moruk" in Tok Pisin). The two smaller daggers feature intricately incised zigzag motifs, with one boasting a small concentric circle just below the pommel end, and the other with an abstract anthropomorphic face along the top of the blade; the pommel ends both feature a pair of abstract avian heads. The largest dagger boasts elaborate curvilinear motifs along the upper blade as well as a single pronounced avian head looking downward from the back of the pommel. Size of largest (single bird head pommel): 1.8" W x 8" H (4.6 cm x 20.3 cm); 6.8" H (17.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Cassowary bone daggers like these examples were traditionally worn on the upper arm, secured via a woven band, and occasionally around the neck. As a tool, bone daggers would have been used for hunting, combat, ceremonial sacrifices, digging, and/or dancing (singsing) decorations.
Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired between 1950 and 1985
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#147571
Condition
All items have small chips to dagger blades, pommel ends, and carved motifs, with softening to some finer details, light encrustations within some recessed areas, and age-commensurate darkening to surface color. Light earthen deposits and fine patina throughout.