Lot 379

Papua New Guinea Bone Dagger, Cassowary Feather Ornament

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Papua New Guinea Bone Dagger, Cassowary Feather Ornament

Estimate: $600 - $900

Starting Bid: $300

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, ca. mid-20th century CE. A bone dagger fashioned from a sharpened animal or bird bone, its blade tapering to a barbed point. The handle is wrapped and mounted with a woven cotton fiber netting collar from which three panels hang, each strung with seed pods and hollow feather quill tubes. Bundled cassowary feathers gather at the base to form dark plumed tassels. Bone daggers of this type were carried by men in the Sepik and highland regions as both weapons and prestige objects; the feathered and beaded ornamentation marks the piece as a display item worn or held during ceremonial and dance contexts rather than a purely utilitarian tool. Size: 14.5" L x 2.25" W (36.8 cm L x 5.7 cm W).

Provenance: ex-David Zahler collection, acquired between 1975-2005

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Item # 203739

  • Condition: Dark encrustations to tip of bone, otherwise intact and great condition.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000