**Originally Listed At $1800**
South Pacific, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, ca. 19th century CE. A wonderful and rare example of a fishing lure that is hand-carved from pearlescent shell. The slender and sizable lure has a tapered body, with narrow points on the top and bottom, and a protruding, crescent-shaped hook attached via lengths of vegetal fiber. Fishing lures like this example were incredibly important to early Micronesian and Polynesian cultures as they were unfamiliar with the process of forging metal. Size: 3.25" L x 0.875" W (8.3 cm x 2.2 cm); 4.25" H (10.8 cm) on included custom stand.
For a strikingly similar example, please see The Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), registration number FE000438.
Provenance: ex-Michael Evans collection, New Zealand, acquired in 2007
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#153880
Condition
Repair to tip of hook, with very light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to hook and lure body, with light desiccation to vegetal fibers commensurate with age. Nice patina throughout.