Bone Dagger

Robert · 21st November 2005, 02:21 AM

Vandoo,
Thank you very much for the information. Do you have a guess as to its age?

VANDOO · 21st November 2005, 03:26 PM

IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO TELL THE AGE ON A ITEM LIKE THIS EVEN IF YOU ARE HOLDING IT, AS THEY ARE CRUDELY MADE AND IF USED QUICKLY PICK UP A LOT OF DIRT,BODY OIL AND FOOD PRODUCTS,ECT. THIS MAKES THEM LOOK AS OLD AS THE CAVEMAN PRETTY QUICKLY IN THE TROPICAL ENVIORNMENT THEY COME FROM. THE BONE COULD HAVE BEEN OLD WHEN FASHIONED INTO A KNIFE OR FRESH BUT AQUIRED ITS COLOR, IT COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN BURIED TO COLOR IT WOOD CARVEINGS ARE OFTEN BURIED TO AGE THEM FOR SALE AS OLD ONES TO TOURISTS. JUST GUESSING I WOULD SUSPECT ITS PROBABLY IN THE LAST 50 YEARS OR SO UNLESS ITS BEEN IN SOMEONES COLLECTION FOR A LONG TIME.

Tim Simmons · 21st November 2005, 08:05 PM

I think Vandoo has said more or less all that can be said but I might add that even if the knife is not in general collector terms old, it is a nice real example. The weaving that covers the handle gives you an indication of the skill of the manufacturer and the effort is way above tourist work. I have had an eye out for the very same thing, the ones I have seen that are real, have not been as good as your example and at a really silly high price to my mind anyway. Tim

kai · 21st November 2005, 10:41 PM

Also keep in mind that vast areas of PNG got into contact with the outside world only after WW2 (or even much later). So many genuine examples are not older than, say, about 50 years.

Regards,
Kai

Robert · 23rd November 2005, 01:40 AM

My thanks to everyone in identifying this dagger. The person that I bought this from found it in a box of mixed items that he bought from an estate sale and like me knew absolutely nothing about it. My concern now is how to conserve this item. Should the weaving be treated and if so with what? I'm just guessing but I think a coat of Renaissance Wax would probably help to protect the blade itself. If anyone has had any experience with preserving items like this I would appreciate any advice you can give me. Again I thank you all.

Robert

21st November 2005, 02:21 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Vandoo, Thank you very much for the information. Do you have a guess as to its age?

21st November 2005, 03:26 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO TELL THE AGE ON A ITEM LIKE THIS EVEN IF YOU ARE HOLDING IT, AS THEY ARE CRUDELY MADE AND IF USED QUICKLY PICK UP A LOT OF DIRT,BODY OIL AND FOOD PRODUCTS,ECT. THIS MAKES THEM LOOK AS OLD AS THE CAVEMAN PRETTY QUICKLY IN THE TROPICAL ENVIORNMENT THEY COME FROM. THE BONE COULD HAVE BEEN OLD WHEN FASHIONED INTO A KNIFE OR FRESH BUT AQUIRED ITS COLOR, IT COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN BURIED TO COLOR IT WOOD CARVEINGS ARE OFTEN BURIED TO AGE THEM FOR SALE AS OLD ONES TO TOURISTS. JUST GUESSING I WOULD SUSPECT ITS PROBABLY IN THE LAST 50 YEARS OR SO UNLESS ITS BEEN IN SOMEONES COLLECTION FOR A LONG TIME.

21st November 2005, 08:05 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I think Vandoo has said more or less all that can be said but I might add that even if the knife is not in general collector terms old, it is a nice real example. The weaving that covers the handle gives you an indication of the skill of the manufacturer and the effort is way above tourist work. I have had an eye out for the very same thing, the ones I have seen that are real, have not been as good as your example and at a really silly high price to my mind anyway. Tim

21st November 2005, 10:41 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Also keep in mind that vast areas of PNG got into contact with the outside world only after WW2 (or even much later). So many genuine examples are not older than, say, about 50 years. Regards, Kai

23rd November 2005, 01:40 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	My thanks to everyone in identifying this dagger. The person that I bought this from found it in a box of mixed items that he bought from an estate sale and like me knew absolutely nothing about it. My concern now is how to conserve this item. Should the weaving be treated and if so with what? I'm just guessing but I think a coat of Renaissance Wax would probably help to protect the blade itself. If anyone has had any experience with preserving items like this I would appreciate any advice you can give me. Again I thank you all. Robert