Cultural History In Focus | “Mother Cassowary's Bones: Daggers of the East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea” by Douglas Newton

L: Ceremonial Dagger, Yina (Ina) [2010.77.88] M: Dagger, Ami Ava [2010.77.84] R: War Dagger [2010.77.81] © John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF — L: Ceremonial Dagger, Yina (Ina) [2010.77.88]
M: Dagger, Ami Ava [2010.77.84]
R: War Dagger [2010.77.81]
© John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF

Mother Cassowary’s Bones

Daggers of the East Sepik Province,
Papua New Guinea

by Douglas Newton

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This article is generously provided by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Special thanks to Christina Hellmich, Susan Grinols and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Ceremonial dagger, Yina (Ina), 19th–early 20th century New Guinea, East Sepik Province, border area between western foothills of the Prince Alexand, Yuenjungei village; Abelam people; Wosera subgroup Cassowary bone, old red, white, and black pigme… — Ceremonial dagger, Yina (Ina), 19th–early 20th century
New Guinea, East Sepik Province, border area between western foothills of the Prince Alexand, Yuenjungei village; Abelam people; Wosera subgroup
Cassowary bone, old red, white, and black pigment, feathers, fiber string
38.1 x 8.9 x 5.1 cm (15 x 3 1/2 x 2 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part with funds from the Evelyn A.J. Hall Charitable Trust)
2010.77.88
© John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF

Dagger, Amia ava, 19th–early 20th century New Guinea, East Sepik Province, middle Sepik River, Iatmul people Cassowary leg bone, Nassa shell, pigment 27.9 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm (11 x 2 x 2 in.) Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part with fun… — Dagger, Amia ava, 19th–early 20th century
New Guinea, East Sepik Province, middle Sepik River, Iatmul people
Cassowary leg bone, Nassa shell, pigment
27.9 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm (11 x 2 x 2 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part with funds from the Evelyn A.J. Hall Charitable Trust) 2010.77.84
© John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF

War dagger, 19th–early 20th century New Guinea, East Sepik Province, upper Sepik River, Washkuk Hills, Kwoma people Human bone, cowrie shell, fiber 34.9 x 6.4 x 6.4 cm (13 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.) Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in par… — War dagger, 19th–early 20th century
New Guinea, East Sepik Province, upper Sepik River, Washkuk Hills, Kwoma people
Human bone, cowrie shell, fiber
34.9 x 6.4 x 6.4 cm (13 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part with funds from the Evelyn A.J. Hall Charitable Trust) 2010.77.81
© John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF

Ceremonial dagger, 19th–early 20th century New Guinea, East Sepik Province, western Prince Alexander Mountains, probably Sunuhu village; Kwanga people Cassowary bone 35.6 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm (14 x 2 x 2 in.) Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased i… — Ceremonial dagger, 19th–early 20th century
New Guinea, East Sepik Province, western Prince Alexander Mountains, probably Sunuhu village; Kwanga people Cassowary bone
35.6 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm (14 x 2 x 2 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part with funds from the Evelyn A.J. Hall Charitable Trust) 2010.77.85
© John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF

Ceremonial dagger, 19th–early 20th century New Guinea, East Sepik Province, western Prince Alexander Mountains, probably Sunuhu village; Kwanga people Cassowary bone 40.6 x 7.6 x 5.1 cm (16 x 3 x 2 in.) Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased i… — Ceremonial dagger, 19th–early 20th century
New Guinea, East Sepik Province, western Prince Alexander Mountains, probably Sunuhu village; Kwanga people Cassowary bone
40.6 x 7.6 x 5.1 cm (16 x 3 x 2 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part with funds from the Evelyn A.J. Hall Charitable Trust) 2010.77.87
© John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF

Dagger, 19th–early 20th century New Guinea, East Sepik Province, middle Sepik River, near Burui village; Sawos people Cassowary leg bone, charcoal pigment 34.9 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm (13 3/4 x 2 x 2 in.) Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part… — Dagger, 19th–early 20th century
New Guinea, East Sepik Province, middle Sepik River, near Burui village; Sawos people
Cassowary leg bone, charcoal pigment
34.9 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm (13 3/4 x 2 x 2 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede (purchased in part with funds from the Evelyn A.J. Hall Charitable Trust) 2010.77.82
© John Bigelow Taylor | FAMSF

© Trustees of the British Museum

© Trustees of the British Museum

Colophon

Authors | Douglas Newton
Publisher | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Publication | Metropolitan Museum Journal 24 (1989)

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