- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Ocean Conservation.
Lot 46:
Description
Indian ethnographic short sword with a matching zoomorphic scabbard featuring mixed-material construction. The sword hilt is sculpted into a long-bearded human head with a dark-finished surface, accented by a tuft of light-colored fur and an inset bone or horn element at the guard. The double-edged steel blade is decorated with a faint etched figure of a man holding a staff and vertically oriented block lettering. The accompanying scabbard is composed of black-finished hide or leather, embellished with two applied three-dimensional creatures: a two-headed lizard with a textured, scaly body and a winding, spotted snake with white inset eyes. A secondary fur collar and a projecting bone tooth are mounted near the scabbard throat. The blade is marked POLISHED IN INDIA. 22 1/2" L x 5 1/2" W x 1 1/2" D.
In 1987 Peter and Wendy sailed Papua New Guinea aboard Ron and Valerie Taylor’s Reef Explorer with photographer David Doubilet, diving the sunken warships of Milne Bay and New Britain for Peter’s National Geographic feature “Ghosts of War in the South Pacific” (April 1988). They came home with weapons, tools and carvings from the Sepik River and the Highlands. The cassowary bone dagger in Lot 48, with its clay mask hilt, is the standout of the group.
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund.
Condition report:
The item is in fair condition with significant wear. The steel blade shows heavy surface abrasions, scattered oxidation, and a partially polished-out inscription. One side of the hilt guard has a loss of material where a projection was formerly attached. The scabbard leather exhibits surface grime, cracking, and wear along the edges. The applied zoomorphic figures show minor losses to the surface finish.
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