Home / Comment / Comment permalink / Add new comment

Add new comment

Error message

  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2405 of /home3/dylanma6/public_html/internationaloildrillers/includes/menu.inc).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home3/dylanma6/public_html/internationaloildrillers/includes/common.inc).

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

AsiaMalaysiaSarawak

Subject