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1918.29.4

Spearthrower, carved from a piece of wood of triangular section, reinforced with bone fittings at each end. [LM 16/10/2007]

1918.29.4

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Collection type
Object
Description
Spearthrower, carved from a piece of wood of triangular section, reinforced with bone fittings at each end. [LM 16/10/2007]
Long description
On the flat side the implement is grooved along its length to take the end of the spear. The bone reinforcement at the narrower distal end has a horseshoe-shaped perforation to engage with the spear butt. The bone fittings are attached with bone pins. At the wider proximal end the implement is shaped to fit the right hand, with indentations for the thumb, index and middle fingers. There is also a circular hole in the middle of the spear groove, ornamentally reinforced with bone. This hole has been used in a local repair, the split wood being pierced in various places and tied together with sinew. [LM 16/10/2007]
Cultural groups
Inuit (Greenland)
Inuit
Person
Field collector John Ross
PRM source Philadelphia D. Lee
Date / Period
Date made: 1829-1833?, uncertain
Date collected
?1829 - 1833
Acquisition information
Donated: 1918
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Bone, Material Sinew, Process Carved, Process Grooved, Process Perforated, Process Repaired (local)
Dimensions
Width: max 83 mm, Length: max 455 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1918.29.4 Other numbers: (3288)

Search terms: Weapon, Spear-thrower