Dagger with obsidian blade with tip missing and handle, which is mostly missing. [SM 26/07/2007]

Collection type: Object
Description: Dagger with obsidian blade with tip missing and handle, which is mostly missing. [SM 26/07/2007]
Long description: Dagger with obsidian blade with tip missing and handle, which is mostly missing. The socket of the handle is the only section remaining. This is painted red/brown and decorated with carved geometric designs that are highlighted with white pigment. [SM 26/07/2007]
Geographical reference: Papua New Guinea
Oceania > Melanesia > Papua New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago Admiralty Islands
Person: Field collector Walter Leo Hildburgh; PRM source Walter Leo Hildburgh
Date
Date collected: By 1944
Acquisition information: Donated: 1944
Materials and processes: Material Obsidian Stone, Material Plant Nut, Material Sago Palm Fibre Plant, Material Pigment, Process Flaked, Process Carved, Process Painted, Process Decorated
Dimensions: Length: max 150 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1944.12.127 Other numbers: 5595
Research and responses: Ref. Robin Torrence. 2003. 'Ethnoarchaeology, museum collections and prehistoric exchange: obsidian-tipped artifacts from the Admiralty Islands.' World Archaeology 24.3: 467-481. On p. 472 Torrence describes the manufacture of these daggers, the handles being made of parinarium nut putty over sago fibre, painted or incised while still damp. [LM 30/07/2007]

Search