Spear Item Number: Ie301 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Spear, nearly round in cross-section, straight unadorned shaft tapering slightly to point. Lanceolate point part of human arm bone is eighteen cm. long to the shaft and hollow for two-thirds of the length. Cut away to leave a flat projection which is bound to the shaft. Mounting covered by a sleeve of woven rattan six cm. wide. Point and sleeve are coloured with red ochre.
History Of Use
Traditionally used in warfare. With modern restriction on warfare, it is used for ceremonial dances, held in man's hand with other weapons. Bone would be from a relative. Spear would thus hit the enemy because of help from dead relative, an ally. Red ochre is magical, said to attract shells and valuables.
Cultural Context
warfare; ceremonial
Item History
- Made in Iapi, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea before 1972
- Collected by John Leroy between 1970 and 1972
- Owned by John Leroy before June 1976
- Received from John Leroy (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source) during June 1976
What
- Name
- Spear
- Identification Number
- Ie301
- Type of Item
- spear
- Material
- human bone, ochre pigment, rattan and palm wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- split and scraped
- Overall
- height 181.6 cm, diameter 2.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Kewa
- Field Collector
- John Leroy
- Previous Owner
- John Leroy
- Received from
- John Leroy (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Iapi, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea
When
- Creation Date
- before 1972
- Collection Date
- between 1970 and 1972
- Ownership Date
- before June 1976
- Acquisition Date
- during June 1976
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0325/0002