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1884.29.5.4

One of seven sling-stones that go with a rectangular stringwork bag [see 1884.29.5 .1 - .8 for bag and other sling stones]. [El.B 12/2/2007]

1884.29.5.4

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Collection type
Object
Description
One of seven sling-stones that go with a rectangular stringwork bag [see 1884.29.5 .1 - .8 for bag and other sling stones]. [El.B 12/2/2007]
Date / Period
Date made: Possibly before 1874
Date collected
?By 1874
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Stone
Dimensions
Length: max 45 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.29.5.4 PR Cat other PR nos: 1027
Research and responses

There seems to be some confusion as to how these bags were worn and used. In various Accession Book/Card catalogue entries/labels they have been described as bag with head fillet attached, bag with waistband and cap with pendant net bags. George Forster in 'A Voyage Round The World' (vol.2) writes: 'The stones which they [the New Caledonians] used were oblong and pointed at each end, being made of a soft and unctuous soaprock (simectites) , which could easily be rubbed into that shape. These exactly fitted the loop in the middle of the sling, and were kept in a wallet or pocket of coarse cloth, strongly woven of a kind of grass, which was tied on about the middle.' Dr Fritz Sarasin in 'Ethnologie der Neu-Kaledonier und Loyalty-Insulaner' (Munich 1929) also describes these bags and states that they were filled with the sling-stones, extra stones were put into the netted tubes and the tubes were then tied round the waist. [El.B 13/2/2007]

Search terms: Weapon, Sling-stone