Dagger
ClassificationsArms and Armor-daggers
Date19th to 20th Century
Made AtManus Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood, obsidian, fiber, resin, trade bead and stingray spine
DimensionsOverall: 18 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 1 3/8 in. (46.4 x 3.8 x 3.5 cm)
Credit LineBowers Museum General Acquisitions Fund Purchase
Object number2004.35.3
DescriptionObsidian tipped spear head with the tip of the spear broken off. Obsidian is naturally occurring in the Admiralty Islands, particularly on Lou and Manus Islands. It is mined and traded throughout the region. Obsidian was commonly used as a cutting tool and weapon. This spear features an obsidian blade hafted into a decorated base. The quality of such spears diminished around the start of the 20th Century due to the introduction of Western weapons and materials and the development of a Western tourist market that was particularly focused around weapons.On View
Not on viewCollections
late 19th Century
early to mid 20th Century
20th Century
19th Century
