- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Ocean Conservation.
Lot 48:
Description
Papua New Guinea Sepik River cassowary bone dagger. The hilt is skillfully modeled from dark brown clay into a human face. The mask features inset cowrie shell eyes and a mouth formed by a single shell. A border of smaller shell fragments defines the jawline. Braided fiber cord is threaded through the septum as a nose ring, and knotted fiber tassels are secured to the ears. The crown is decorated with a tall plume of black cassowary feathers. The dagger blade is fashioned from a cassowary bone ground to a sharp point, revealing the natural marrow channel on the reverse. 21" H x 4" W x 3 3/8" 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.
Condition report:
Good overall condition. The bone blade exhibits surface staining and natural discoloration (photo 6). Light dust accumulation is noted within the cassowary feather plume (photo 2). Fiber elements at the ears show minor fraying and fiber loss (photo 3). The clay hilt displays stable surface fissures and wear to the surface pigment (photo 4).
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