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Ceremonial dagger, 19th–early 20th century
Cassowary bone
40.6 x 7.6 x 5.1 cm (16 x 3 x 2 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.278

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Collected by Antony Forge. Anthony Forge Collection, Sydney." (Catalog #318, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 135.) EXHIBITIONS: 1991 - Museum of Metropolitan Art, New York, 1991, "New Guinea Bone Carvings." PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The unusual angle of the bone's condyles on this piece are only known on Kwanga examples. The concentric circles on the upper portion represent the sun. They are separated from the ngwalndu faces by a narrow band representing the caterpillar found on the vines of growing yams (Noel Mc Guigan, personal communication). These daggers were used for display in initiation rites and ceremonial dances, not for war (Noel Mc Guigan, personal communication)." (Catalog #318, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 135.)

Related Keywords
dagger Ceremonial Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised 135 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art 318 Catalog Sydney Anthony Forge Antony by Collected people Kwanga village Sunuhu Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New Papua Melanesia Sculpture bone Cassowary 0709200406050608 A361193 L05.1.278 AOA