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Courting Stick

MOA: University of British Columbia

3274/80 a-b

Courting stick in two pieces carved from thin, long piece of wood. The shorter piece (part a) tapers in to a point at one end. The longer piece (part b) has a flat, rectangular section, and two barbed sections.

  • Narrative

    A man will slip the stick beneath the wall mat of a house and into the sleeping area of his paramour, who can tactually determine his identity by the unique pattern of notches on the stick.

  • Type of Item stick
  • Culture Micronesian
  • Material wood
  • Measurements height 46.5 cm, width 1.5 cm, depth 0.4 cm (part a) height 62.5 cm, width 1.5 cm, depth 0.4 cm (part b)
  • Previous Owner William H. Alkire
  • Received from William H. Alkire
  • Made in Truk Islands
  • Collection Date during 1980
  • Ownership Date before August 16, 2017
  • Acquisition Date on August 16, 2017
  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3274/0080 a-b

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