Description

Panoply of weapons and hunting gear from the Melanesian archipelago. Papua – Probable stylistic area: Sepik River region or Papua Gulf (Fly River / Trans-Fly). Late 19th century – Early 20th century (Colonial period). Former Geneva collection, Switzerland. Kept by family succession since the early 20th century. 4 bows, 41 arrows and 4 bamboo-bladed stalking arrows. Description of the set 1. Four (4) hunting and war bows • Material: Black palm wood of the Nibong type (Caryota or Gulubia), characterized by a very high density of longitudinal fibers. [1] • Structure & Profile: Typical "half-cylinder" section (sometimes called a D-section). The back of the bow (facing the target) retains the natural outer flat surface of the trunk, highly resistant to tension. The belly of the bow (facing the shooter) is cut into a convex ogival shape to absorb compression. • Dimensions: Compact models of approximately 151 cm in length, adapted to dense environments, tree hunting or bush ambushes. • Strings: Two (2) bows have their original "string" intact, made of a fine strip of split bamboo (ka'ri), preserved under natural tension. The other two (2) bows have their original strip detached. Bow ends shaped for nocking, without an attached groove. 2. Forty-one (41) hunting and combat arrows • Shafts: Stems of wild reed or thin bamboo, lightweight, selected for their natural straightness. • Fletching: Total and strict absence of fletching (no feathers), an exclusive characteristic of Papuan ballistic engineering. Flight stability relies on the weight ratio of the point (high FOC). • Points: Carved from a heavy exotic wood, blackened and hardened by fire, featuring rows of sharp backward-facing barbs (historically designed to prevent removal from the wound). • Bindings: The points are secured to the shafts with fine, dense braids of plant fibers and rattan strips, historically coated with natural resins. • Condition: Thirty-nine (39) arrows in excellent preservation condition with intact bindings and points. Two (2) arrows have damaged or missing points. 3. Four (4) stalking arrows or large spears • Dimensions: Uniform length of approximately 120 cm. • Characteristics: Specific model of arrows known as "bamboo-bladed". The points are fashioned from sections of bamboo cut at a wide, clean bevel, forming a convex cutting edge similar to a razor blade. • Functional use: Short-range hunting weapons intended for large game (e.g.: wild boars, cassowaries), designed to cause wounds with heavy bleeding The last photo shows the two bows with detached strings, 2 arrows with damaged/missing points and one bamboo-bladed arrow with a bent point. The rest is in excellent condition. Rare set Please contact us if you would like a quote for shipping within Switzerland or internationally. Inv: G26420