Spearthrower
Country
Australia
State/Province
Queensland
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Object detail
Description
Spearthrower with baler shell handle. Yellow fibre inaid into beeswax.
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spearthrower
Production place
Measurements
L765 x W80 x D20 mm
Media/Materials description
Wood
Bees Wax
Grass or Reed
Plant Fibre String
Shell
Bees Wax
Grass or Reed
Plant Fibre String
Shell
History and use
Shell-handled spearthrowers are unique to the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula regions. With a broad blade shaft and a handle featuring a pair of oval-shaped pieces of baler shell, they were commonly traded northwards from the Cape York Peninsula into the islands of the Torres Strait.
This item was most recently on display in the exhibition 'Connections across the Coral Sea: A story of movement' at Museum of Tropical Queensland (2021-2022) and Queensland Museum (2022-2023).
This item was most recently on display in the exhibition 'Connections across the Coral Sea: A story of movement' at Museum of Tropical Queensland (2021-2022) and Queensland Museum (2022-2023).
Associated person
Registration number
QE25853
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