Cassowary Bone Dagger, Heavily Incised and Painted
Cassowary bone dagger, heavily incised and finely painted, with geometric design, fiber decoration, and mini-face carved into the inside top
In his Diary, page 162 (lot 108 box F1), Ledoux explains: "Cassowary bone daggers used in war to kill children being poked through the eyes or shoulder blade, or if your spear is broken used on men, holding the man first. It is worn in the mal [loin cloth]." In Ledoux’s various writings, he mentions the daggers often.
Locale: Lower Sepik River
Country: Papua New Guinea
Date: 1936 or earlier
Material: Cassowary bone
Dimensions: L 15"
Provenance: Louis Pierre Ledoux Collection
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Cassowary bone dagger, heavily incised and finely painted, with geometric design, fiber decoration, and mini-face carved into the inside top
In his Diary, page 162 (lot 108 box F1), Ledoux explains: "Cassowary bone daggers used in war to kill children being poked through the eyes or shoulder blade, or if your spear is broken used on men, holding the man first. It is worn in the mal [loin cloth]." In Ledoux’s various writings, he mentions the daggers often.
Locale: Lower Sepik River
Country: Papua New Guinea
Date: 1936 or earlier
Material: Cassowary bone
Dimensions: L 15"
Provenance: Louis Pierre Ledoux Collection
