Spear

MOA: University of British Columbia

2948/169

Wood and bamboo spear. Head is long, leaf-shaped and concave. It is bound to a narrow wooden shaft with rattan, string and beeswax, which in turn is inserted into a thicker bamboo shaft and bound with a tight weave of rattan and beeswax. Two thin lines are scratched around the butt of the shaft. The bamboo’s nodules have been shaved smooth.


  • Type of Item spear
  • Culture Asmat
  • Material bamboo grass, wood, rattan, plant fibre, bee wax, pigment
  • Measurements height 126.0 cm, width 2.9 cm, depth 1.0 cm (overall)

  • Previous Owner Lorne Balshine
  • Received from Lorne Balshine

  • Made in Papua

  • Collection Date during 1980
  • Ownership Date before April 11, 2012
  • Acquisition Date on April 11, 2012

  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 2948/0169