Mixed lot (2 items): New Guinea: two cassowary bone daggers.
1: An unusual cassowary bone dagger. Carved from the hollow thighbone of a cassowary bird. With a three-dimensional bird in the upper section, and two birds heads in relief underneath, as well as two very similar round forms on top of each other consisting of relief bands and spikes, probably representing in extremely stylised form the faces of ancestors. On the grounds of its carving style, this item can to attributed to the Abelam or Bukie in the Maprik hills, to the north of the Sepik River in North New Guinea. A interesting piece, with very beautiful and old, brown to black usage patina. Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century; L: 38 cm. 2: A cassowary bone dagger of the Asmat, on the southern coast of New Guinea. With a plaited crest made of twisted cords, dyed white and red, and with three decorative pendants of seed capsules (‘Job’s tears’) and black cassowary feathers hanging on each side. The dagger itself, with three barbs near the tip, consists of a very light-coloured bone, and displays good, shiny usage patina. First half of the 20th century; L.: 36 cm. (ME)
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,200.- to EUR 1,400.-
Mixed lot (2 items): New Guinea: two cassowary bone daggers.
1: An unusual cassowary bone dagger. Carved from the hollow thighbone of a cassowary bird. With a three-dimensional bird in the upper section, and two birds heads in relief underneath, as well as two very similar round forms on top of each other consisting of relief bands and spikes, probably representing in extremely stylised form the faces of ancestors. On the grounds of its carving style, this item can to attributed to the Abelam or Bukie in the Maprik hills, to the north of the Sepik River in North New Guinea. A interesting piece, with very beautiful and old, brown to black usage patina. Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century; L: 38 cm. 2: A cassowary bone dagger of the Asmat, on the southern coast of New Guinea. With a plaited crest made of twisted cords, dyed white and red, and with three decorative pendants of seed capsules (‘Job’s tears’) and black cassowary feathers hanging on each side. The dagger itself, with three barbs near the tip, consists of a very light-coloured bone, and displays good, shiny usage patina. First half of the 20th century; L.: 36 cm. (ME)
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |