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Partially Finished Axe Blade, Unknown date Massim culture; Woodlark Islands, Milne Bay Provinc…
Axe Head Currency
Partially Finished Axe Blade, Unknown date Massim culture; Woodlark Islands, Milne Bay Provinc…
Partially Finished Axe Blade, Unknown date Massim culture; Woodlark Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Oceania Greenstone; 3 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 3/8 in. 2014.12.49 Collected on behalf of the Bowers Museum by the Roski-Keller-Martin Expedition

Axe Head Currency

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-axes-axe heads
Culture Massim
Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
Collection SiteMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumGreenstone
Dimensions3 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 3/8 in. (9.5 × 4.4 × 1 cm)
Credit LineCollected on behalf of the Bowers Museum by the Roski-Keller-Martin Expedition
Object number2014.12.49
DescriptionGreenstone blades are considered to be incredibly valuable currency to the people of the Massim area. They are kept attached to carved wooden presentation axes and can be used as barter and trade items within the larger kula trade ring. The greenstone used to create the blades is quarried on Woodlark Island. From there, the unfinished blades travel to other locations for polishing.
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