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Artifact

Headhunter's Axe

Description

  • Headhunter's axe sheath consists of two holders.
  • Larger holder is made of wood and has four braided rattan-like sections around the holder at 1.5-inch intervals. A piece of animal hide is attached six inches from the top. 
  • The smaller holder is made of brown hide and is attached to the larger holder at the back. A long rattan rope with black cord and tassel attached to the end is woven through the smaller holder.
  • A piece of beadwork in black and yellow measures approximately 12 inches by 2.5 inches.
  • Small knife with a black handle appears to be made of wood. It is 13 inches long and has a 3-inch handle. The blade is curved near the handle. 
  • Large knife has an ivory or bone handle, five inches long and is carved to look like a dragon head. It has a tuft of black hair, measuring nine inches, coming out of the top of the head and another tuft, measuring 5.5 inches, coming out of the nostrils. It has a rattan-braided section on the neck of the handle measuring approximately two inches long. 
  • Blade of the large knife is curved and has stamped scrollwork with a groove approximately nine inches long with nine small holes punched out.

Background Information

  • Brought home as a memento from British Borneo (modern Sarawak, Malaysia) by William Gillespie.
  • Belonged to a member of the Dayak tribe.

Map Location

Latitude: 4° 23' 58.949" N
Longitude: 113° 59' 25.613" E

Date

1923-1926

Dimensions

inches
Length:
23.3
Width:
2.3

Events, Places, People

  • William Gillespie
  • Sarawak (Malaysia)

Originating Location

Asia›Malaysia›Sarawak

Subject

  • A large axe and a small knife a sheath with two holders. The axe has an ivory-coloured handle shaped like a dragon head with two tufts of black hair coming out of it. The knife has a dark wood handle. The smaller sheath is visible and is made from wood covered in red fabric and a strip of yellow and black beads. There is a burgundy tassel hanging off of the end from a piece of black string.
  • The handles of an axe and knife. The axe has an ivory-coloured handle, carved into a dragon's head with black tufts of hair coming out of the top and mouth. There is a rattan braid wrapped around the base. The knife is dark brown and plain.
  • A metal axe with a curved blade and an ivory-coloured handle. The handle is carved into a dragon's head with black tufts of hair. There is a rattan braid wrapped around the base.
  • The blade of an axe. It has a rattan braid on the handle above it. The blade has a pattern of stamped scroll-work on it.
  • A knife with a curved blade and a dark wooden handle.

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