Spear ·  Solomon Islands - Bougainville Island · ID: 3039175

Description

nippa palmwood, dyed in blackish brown, with barbs (probably from the wing-bones of the flying fox), fixed by accurately wrapped fine plant fibre strings, characteristic features: carving of two anthropomorphic figures in bas-relief “kagoi” and round knob from leaf fibres pressed closely together “uiru”, fine plaited cuffs of orchid bast dyed in red and yellow, good condition, probably of original length, the thin ending dam./split, one barb missing;
“kagoi” is a spirit, and the carving certainly symbolizes the spirit that gives the spear its deadly power. The sphere “uiru”, is the spirits dwelling.

Comparing literature

Conru, Kevin, Solomon Islands Art, Milan 2008, p. 133 f.