Could you help identify . . .?

Priscilla J · 28th November 2009, 09:38 PM

This curious object. Its height is between ten and eleven inches and it's almost exactly 16.5 inches long on the long bottom "blade," which is decorated with carving and paint (or soot, ink, I can't quite tell.) The motif is wave-like or undulating in one part, incised and blackened checkerboard in the other part. The bottle, photographed separately, fits inside. Someone once said it held something for dipping spear or arrow points, but we have no way of knowing if this is accurate (and the usual caution about family stories!) As you see, it appears to be of rattan or something similar, and would have to be carried over a shoulder and then hung up somewhere as you couldn't set it down and have it remain upright.

My guess is that it comes from somewhere in Indonesia (big place!) or even possibly Borneo.It may have come back to the US as a WWII souvenir, but it may have arrived earlier. I look forward to hearing from the experts, and I've definitely enjoyed the site and sharing it with my sons. (By the way, the Smithsonian was stumped!)

Robert · 30th November 2009, 06:24 AM

Hello Priscilla and welcome to the forum. I really have no knowledge of items like this but seeing as no one has replied I will hazard a guess on this item and suggest it might be some kind of betel nut container?

Hopefully someone with more knowledge in this area will come along shortly and give you a better idea of what this is.

Robert

28th November 2009, 09:38 PM	#1
Priscilla J Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	Could you help identify . . .? This curious object. Its height is between ten and eleven inches and it's almost exactly 16.5 inches long on the long bottom "blade," which is decorated with carving and paint (or soot, ink, I can't quite tell.) The motif is wave-like or undulating in one part, incised and blackened checkerboard in the other part. The bottle, photographed separately, fits inside. Someone once said it held something for dipping spear or arrow points, but we have no way of knowing if this is accurate (and the usual caution about family stories!) As you see, it appears to be of rattan or something similar, and would have to be carried over a shoulder and then hung up somewhere as you couldn't set it down and have it remain upright. My guess is that it comes from somewhere in Indonesia (big place!) or even possibly Borneo.It may have come back to the US as a WWII souvenir, but it may have arrived earlier. I look forward to hearing from the experts, and I've definitely enjoyed the site and sharing it with my sons. (By the way, the Smithsonian was stumped!) Attached Images

30th November 2009, 06:24 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Priscilla and welcome to the forum. I really have no knowledge of items like this but seeing as no one has replied I will hazard a guess on this item and suggest it might be some kind of betel nut container? Hopefully someone with more knowledge in this area will come along shortly and give you a better idea of what this is. Robert