Murik Lakes Sword Club

A short weapon carved in imitation of the colonial German officers dress dagger. The long pointed blade is decorated to one side with a fine and complex ornementation composed of stylized human figures. The finial is carved as a stylized crocodile with an unidentified transversal object in its maw and the grip has a woven fiber hand guard. Murik Lakes, North Coast area, Lower Sepik, PNG, Melanesia. Hard wood with traces of lime and a good patina of age and usage (minor restoration to the finial). 71,7 cm. 19/20th century. Ex coll.: Ohly, London. Ex Douglas Barret, London.