Early 20th C. Borneo Dayak Wood & Iron Blowgun w/ Darts

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Borneo, Central Kalimantan region, Dayak peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A rare example of a lengthy wooden blowgun known as a sumpit (literally "blow-pipe") which is traditionally used with a quiver (known as a tolor or telenga). The weapon features a hollow cavity through the length of the shaft meant to propel slender wooden darts at high velocities, and an iron spear head is secured to the top with wrapped reed fibers and capped with a wooden cover. Included with the blowgun are four needle-shaped wooden darts with a pointed tip on each end. Blowguns like this example were used to shoot poison-dipped darts at their enemies from a safe distance, and the spear blade was used when the enemy managed to get too close. Size: 77.4" L x 1.6" W (196.6 cm x 4.1 cm).

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired between 2010 and 2015; ex-Auctions Imperial, Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA

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#151960 Dimensions: Condition Report: Minor fissures to wooden blade sheath, with nicks to some wooden darts, and minor abrasions to shaft and blade, otherwise intact and very good. Nice patina throughout. Darts are still able to be shot through shaft body.