Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2014-0001-0015   CAS 2014-0001-0015; Dagger
Category Weaponry
Object Name Dagger
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Indonesia
State/Prov./Dist. Irian Jaya
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1990s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Bone; Resin; Cowrie (Cypraeidae) shells; Native cordage
Description Dagger made from cassowary bird leg bone that has been diagonally cut and the cut end ground to a sharp point; The intact proximal end of the bone forms the core of an effigy head made by molding black resin around it and shaping it to the desired human facial form; Cowrie shells are pressed into the face for eyes and in a band around the top of the head; Top of head is covered with short pieces of rust brown native cordage to suggest hair; Entire effigy and exterior surface of original bone are stained black.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 33.6, Width = 7.5, Depth = 9.5