Adventurer, Academic, Industrialist: Louis Pierre Ledoux 1936 New Guinea Expedition
In early 1936, on recommendation by American anthropologist Margaret Mead, Louis Pierre Ledoux, recent Harvard University graduate, headed to the lower eastern Sepik River of Papua New Guinea to study the Murik people.
The results of his self-funded expedition is an extraordinary collection of hundreds of artifacts, photographs, manuscripts, diaries, and letters left untouched for 85 years.
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LOT 85:
Cassowary Bone Dagger, Incised
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Start price:
$
500
Estimated price :
$1,000 - $2,000
Buyer's Premium: 28%
More details
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Cassowary Bone Dagger, Incised
Cassowary bone dagger, incised.
In his Diary, page 162 (lot 108 box F1), Ledoux explains: "Cassowary bone daggers used in war to kill children being poked through the eyes or shoulder blade, or if your spear is broken used on men, holding the man first. It is worn in the mal [loin cloth]." In Ledoux’s various writings, he mentions the daggers often.
Similar dagger was gifted by Louis Pierre Ledoux in 1936 to the American Museum of Natural History - Division of Anthropology (80/8956)
Locale: Lower Sepik River
Country: Papua New Guinea
Date: 1936 or earlier
Material: Cassowary bone
Dimensions: L 11"
Provenance: Louis Pierre Ledoux Collection
Similar items:
Artemis (ex-Sotheby's) 2016
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/49273318_early-20th-c-png-carved-bone-daggers-ex-s othebys
American Museum of Natural History - Division of Anthropology 80/8956
https://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/databases/common/image_dup.cfm?catno=80%2E0%2F%208956
