Gilbert Islands, Micronesia
Mid 19th century
Hardwood, shark teeth, fiber binding
Length: 17½ inches (44.5 cm)
Provenance: John Dominis Holt, Honolulu, Hawaii
Shark tooth weapons were central to the martial culture of the Gilbert Islands, where ritual duels were conducted to defend honor and settle disputes between men. The dueler's full ensemble included larger shark tooth swords, coconut fiber armor, stingray skin belt, palm leaf hand covers fitted with shark teeth, and a helmet fashioned from a dried puffer fish. This hand sword served as a secondary close combat weapon, wielded when combatants came within arm's reach of one another.
The teeth lining both edges of this sword have been identified in related examples as coming from tiger sharks, with some Gilbert Islands weapons also incorporating teeth from dusky and spottail sharks, species no longer found in the waters around the islands, a phenomenon researchers describe as shadow diversity. The hardwood handle and blade retain a warm patina consistent with age and handling, and the fiber binding securing the teeth along the blade remains intact throughout its length.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Gilbert Islands, Micronesia
Mid 19th century
Hardwood, shark teeth, fiber binding
Length: 17½ inches (44.5 cm)
Provenance: John Dominis Holt, Honolulu, Hawaii
Shark tooth weapons were central to the martial culture of the Gilbert Islands, where ritual duels were conducted to defend honor and settle disputes between men. The dueler's full ensemble included larger shark tooth swords, coconut fiber armor, stingray skin belt, palm leaf hand covers fitted with shark teeth, and a helmet fashioned from a dried puffer fish. This hand sword served as a secondary close combat weapon, wielded when combatants came within arm's reach of one another.
The teeth lining both edges of this sword have been identified in related examples as coming from tiger sharks, with some Gilbert Islands weapons also incorporating teeth from dusky and spottail sharks, species no longer found in the waters around the islands, a phenomenon researchers describe as shadow diversity. The hardwood handle and blade retain a warm patina consistent with age and handling, and the fiber binding securing the teeth along the blade remains intact throughout its length.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
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