Description

Bone-handled knife (part a) with long pointed metal blade. Base of bone handle has thick band of inter-woven wires wound around it, top has incised designs. At top and protrusion of handle there are tufts of hair, some dyed red, and longer strands of dark human hair. Blade has darkened to almost black in some areas. Part b is a wooden scabbard with incised designs in upper section, and at bottom. It has 14 dark brown double bands of grass encircling it. There are two woven circular designs made of light and dark coloured grass, among the bands. On the upper part there are 14 rows of light coloured grass wound around and through the wood underneath the incised design. Attached to the back of the scabbard is a thinner scabbard that appears to be made from a seed pod(?) which is lashed onto the scabbard with string and wire. There is a braided grass handle attached at the back of the scabbard, and a tie of cotton printed fabric tied to the handle. The wood of the scabbard has a red stain(?) over most of its surface and there is another longer tuft of hair attached behind the scabbard.