Kwoma Human Bone Dagger-Harry Franklin Collection-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Kwoma Human Bone Dagger
Kwoma culture, Washkuk area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Harry A. Franklin (1723), Beverly Hills
19th century or before
13” (33 cm) in height
On the reverse on a rectangular Franklin’s Beverly Hills tag with #1723 handwritten
This ancient human bone dagger is superbly carved. And take note of the pierced nose of the spirit face—a detail found on only the oldest examples.