I have seen many spears from this region of New Guinea during my 50 years of collecting but not quite like this one. The intricate wood carving with its design and detail is quite spectacular.
I believe it is carved from Black Palm. Black Palm is referred to as a hardwood but it is more related to a grass. It is used for flooring, furniture and …. more appropriate to this spear, knife handles, other spears and martial arts weapons.
Generally, PNG spears or staffs are used for very special shaman-led ceremonies or for pig hunting.
This spear came from a missionary family who lived in and around the Blackwater River during the 1970s and early 1980s.
For the Serious Collector.