The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Stories
Lot 55:
Description
A ceremonial bamboo container from Papua New Guinea, likely utilized as a tobacco or lime storage vessel. The object features a long, slightly tapered cylindrical body characterized by a warm, natural orange-brown patina. The exterior is intricately decorated with incised geometric and curvilinear motifs infilled with dark pigment. One end of the hollow bamboo tube is open, while the opposite end features a narrower, stepped projection created by two concentric bamboo layers. A length of twisted natural fiber cord remains attached to the interior of the wider opening. 23" L x 1 7/8" diameter.
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Condition report:
The object displays signs of age and traditional use. Minor surface abrasions and scattered dark spots are visible across the patina. Small, irregular cracks are present at the rim of the wide opening and along the edge of the stepped projection. There is some fading and loss to the dark pigment within the incised channels, particularly on the raised portions of the bamboo. The natural fiber cord shows fraying.
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