Papua New Guinea Bow + Carved & Painted Arrows (Auction 2026-06-05, Lot 155)

$321.25

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A wooden bow accompanied by a group of wood and bamboo arrows. The arrows display a range of sharply barbed tips, some with carved decoration and bright pigment. The bow and arrows are fitted with both traditional woven cane and colored nylon cordage. The barbed forms are designed for deep penetration and difficult removal, reflecting weapons used in both warfare and hunting. Such objects may also have been used in ceremonial or dance contexts, where they could carry symbolic associations with power and strength. Size of bow: 73″ L x 1.2″ W (185.4 cm x 3 cm)

Provenance: Private Park City, Utah collection, USA

Condition: Bow has rubber bands attached to the end to keep the cane drawstring in place. Fissures and small losses, and minor chips. Cane and nylon wraps are fraying. Discoloration and fading to pigments.