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Ritual bone dagger

Kwoma people, Washkuk Hills, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Ritual bone dagger
 (c. 1986)

Medium
bone, pigment, shell, fibre

Measurements
35.9 × 9.1 × 6.9 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Todd Barlin, 2009
© the artists

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Washkuk Hills, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Accession Number
2009.39

Department
Pacific Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

Physical description
Bone daggers vary substantially in quality and form, the ritual bone dagger is decorated with carved motifs and anthropomorphic figures. At the high end of the dagger are two shells embedded on either side representing eyes creating a bird-like face. A stand of fibre tassel hung in the centre of the high end completes the decoration.

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