Lot Essay
Vanuatu ceremonial adzes were emblems of authority. They were also used in pig killing ceremonies.
Property from the Collection of MRS. J. MURDOCH HOWLAND
A VANUATU CEREMONIAL ADZE
Details
A VANUATU CEREMONIAL ADZE
A long cylindrical handle with a human head in relief at the top of an elongated oval form, protruding mouth, slit eyes under protruding brow, a crest attached to the top of the head with two back to back cockatoos at the end, a curved element extending downward behind the handle, wrapped in fiber drilled to hold the now missing blade, thick, dark brown patina, 33½in. (85.1cm.) long
A long cylindrical handle with a human head in relief at the top of an elongated oval form, protruding mouth, slit eyes under protruding brow, a crest attached to the top of the head with two back to back cockatoos at the end, a curved element extending downward behind the handle, wrapped in fiber drilled to hold the now missing blade, thick, dark brown patina, 33½in. (85.1cm.) long