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LOT 0057

20th C. Gilbert Island Shark Tooth Spear

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Oceania, Gilbert Islands, ca. 20th century CE. A spear made from a thick shaft of coconut wood, studded with two vertical rows of dozens of tightly-spaced shark's teeth that rise nearly the full length of the blade, which ultimately tapers to a point. A fine layer of woven coconut fiber is above the handle shaft, which may have once been wrapped in rattan based on similar known items. Each shark's tooth has been painstakingly sewn into place using te koro, twine made from coconut fiber. 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: 0.75" W x 37.35" H (1.9 cm x 94.9 cm); 38.85" H (98.7 cm) on included custom stand.

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.

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#135780 Dimensions: Condition Report: Lower part of handle is lost, with a slightly jagged edge. The handle was probably once wrapped in rattan or some other material. Approximately 33% of the shark's teeth are lost and some of the coconut thread has come loose. However, overall the form is well preserved.

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20 Feb 2020
USA, Louisville, CO
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[ translate ]

Oceania, Gilbert Islands, ca. 20th century CE. A spear made from a thick shaft of coconut wood, studded with two vertical rows of dozens of tightly-spaced shark's teeth that rise nearly the full length of the blade, which ultimately tapers to a point. A fine layer of woven coconut fiber is above the handle shaft, which may have once been wrapped in rattan based on similar known items. Each shark's tooth has been painstakingly sewn into place using te koro, twine made from coconut fiber. 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: 0.75" W x 37.35" H (1.9 cm x 94.9 cm); 38.85" H (98.7 cm) on included custom stand.

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.

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#135780 Dimensions: Condition Report: Lower part of handle is lost, with a slightly jagged edge. The handle was probably once wrapped in rattan or some other material. Approximately 33% of the shark's teeth are lost and some of the coconut thread has come loose. However, overall the form is well preserved.

[ translate ]
Sale price
Unlock
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
20 Feb 2020
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
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View it on