Bone dagger ·  Papua New Guinea - Lake Sentani · ID: 3033883

Description

cassowary bone, polished, dark patina rubbed into the deepenings, split and sharpened, carved with elaborate ornaments, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion and usage;
bone daggers were stuck into a plaited band on the upper arm, they were used as weapon for hunting and for fighting. Besides of this they had ceremonial function as well, above all those, which were made of human bone.