3363-035
Offered for sale is a rare and striking bamboo spear thrower from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection. Known traditionally as a spear thrower or launcher, these highly specialized hunting and ceremonial implements were engineered to extend the length of the human arm, imparting immense leverage, velocity, and distance to launched projectiles. This superb example features a robust, split-bamboo shaft securely bound with tightly woven plant-fiber twine, counterbalanced by a beautifully hand-carved hardwood guide block lashed near the center. The guide is meticulously sculpted in the form of a stylized crocodile and hornbill effigy, serving both the functional purpose of keeping the spear shaft true and the spiritual purpose of bestowing the hunter with ancestral precision.
The spear thrower was field-collected by Ron Perry, a globally renowned expert and one of the most respected Pacific tribal art authorities of the 20th century. Beginning his expeditions in 1964, Perry spent over 40 years traveling by canoe up remote waterways and trekking unmapped terrains to collect authentic pieces directly from traditional clans. His credibility in the field is unmatched: following Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975, the PNG National Cultural Council appointed him to manage Village Arts, their government-run indigenous artifact center. This is an outstanding display piece with exceptional form, intricate native carving, and undeniable character, making it an exceptional addition to any collection of Oceanic, ethnographic, or tribal art.
Item Details:
Object: Bamboo Spear Thrower (Spear Launcher)
Culture: Sepik River Culture (Wosera-Abelam / Iatmul)
Region: Middle Sepik River region, Papua New Guinea
Period: Mid to Late 20th Century
Dimensions: 7.5" H × 24" W × 1.5" D
Materials: Indigenous bamboo, hand-carved hardwood effigy, natural earth pigments, and woven plant-fiber twine / vine bast
Provenance: Acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection
Condition Note: This piece exhibits authentic, stable aging, beautiful native patination on the bamboo shaft, and minor fiber wear consistent with field use and age. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description.
This is available for local pick-up. Shipping can be available for this item. Please contact us for a custom quote or to make arrangements.
