OC483: Asmat Bone Dagger

A good Asmat bone dagger. The bone is from the leg of a cassowary bird . The top has the original woven fiber and one adornment remaining with seeds and a bead. The bone has a rich warm patina color from age and use.    

Field collected by missionaries Forrest and Dorothy Thorsby while working for The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) between 1953 and 1955. I purchased a small collection of Asmat daggers directly form the daughter of the Thorsby’s.

13 1/2" Tall x 1 3/4" Wide. Early to mid 20th century, New Guinea.