FOUR TOLAI (NEW BRITAIN) SPEARS

Details

FOUR TOLAI (NEW BRITAIN) SPEARS
Each with bone base to the long wood shaft, two with plain shafts with tabu nassa shell and white glass bead binding, another with a panel of incised geometric ornament to the shaft, the last with shark's teeth barbs secured with fiber binding and cassowary toe point, the center of the shaft bound with long string of nassa shells
80in. (203cm.) to 119in. (304cm.) long (4)

Lot Essay

It is extremely rare for spears to retain the bones, which are usually human, because they were usually removed before sale. We know of some in German museums, but it is unlikely that there are many outside Germany.