Bone knife origins??

Protector · 17th November 2014, 03:25 AM

I just picked up this bone knife from a 'mom&pop' antique shop. No info on the tag and the counter lady had no idea what it was or where it came from. In checking general 'Google info' I found similar bone knives listed as an 'Asmat bone dagger', a 'Dani knife' and a New Guinea cassowary thigh bone dagger. All are somewhat similar, but nothing exact.

The sheath on mine is a hollow wooden tube with lots of wear inside the throat. The exposed bone hilt has a dark patina, while the 'blade' portion in the sheath is cleaner. The cord wrap/knot work is the same look/pattern overall, with a reasonably old/used patina. The brighter yellow sections are also knotted and appear to be some type of stalk or rattan like material. The feathers are also obviously original from the way they are tied into the knot work, but in very good shape.

Any ideas or comments are appreciated. Also, is there anything special I should do to take proper care of it? Thanx!

Sajen · 17th November 2014, 07:20 AM

Hello Protector,

I think that you have there a Dani bone dagger. The feathers are from a cassuari. Do a little search here with the key word "Dani" and you will find some more informations. For example in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=dani

Regards,
Detlef

VANDOO · 17th November 2014, 07:12 PM

I AGREE LIKELY OF DANI ORIGIN A NICE EXAMPLE. THE YELLOW FIBER IS LIKELY FROM A TYPE OF ORCHID AND IS USED FOR MANY THINGS THRU-OUT THE REGION. IT IS BEST TO KEEP THE ITEM DRY AND OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR LONG PERIODS AND TO WATCH OUT THE BUGS DON'T GET AFTER IT, THEY LIKE FEATHERS AND BONE.
PLEASE ADD IT AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY FIND TO THE OLD REFERENCE POST IN THE FORUM ( THE ONE WITH THE LINK IN THIS POST) IF YOU LIKE.

17th November 2014, 03:25 AM	#1
Protector Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Friday Harbor, Wa. Posts: 26	Bone knife origins?? I just picked up this bone knife from a 'mom&pop' antique shop. No info on the tag and the counter lady had no idea what it was or where it came from. In checking general 'Google info' I found similar bone knives listed as an 'Asmat bone dagger', a 'Dani knife' and a New Guinea cassowary thigh bone dagger. All are somewhat similar, but nothing exact. The sheath on mine is a hollow wooden tube with lots of wear inside the throat. The exposed bone hilt has a dark patina, while the 'blade' portion in the sheath is cleaner. The cord wrap/knot work is the same look/pattern overall, with a reasonably old/used patina. The brighter yellow sections are also knotted and appear to be some type of stalk or rattan like material. The feathers are also obviously original from the way they are tied into the knot work, but in very good shape. Any ideas or comments are appreciated. Also, is there anything special I should do to take proper care of it? Thanx! Attached Images

17th November 2014, 07:20 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,468	Hello Protector, I think that you have there a Dani bone dagger. The feathers are from a cassuari. Do a little search here with the key word "Dani" and you will find some more informations. For example in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=dani Regards, Detlef

17th November 2014, 07:12 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I AGREE LIKELY OF DANI ORIGIN A NICE EXAMPLE. THE YELLOW FIBER IS LIKELY FROM A TYPE OF ORCHID AND IS USED FOR MANY THINGS THRU-OUT THE REGION. IT IS BEST TO KEEP THE ITEM DRY AND OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR LONG PERIODS AND TO WATCH OUT THE BUGS DON'T GET AFTER IT, THEY LIKE FEATHERS AND BONE. PLEASE ADD IT AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY FIND TO THE OLD REFERENCE POST IN THE FORUM ( THE ONE WITH THE LINK IN THIS POST) IF YOU LIKE.