Axe
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
Western Province
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Object detail
Description
Adze Blade (heavy) basalt - 'Kiwai' type
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander axe blade
Maker
Measurements
L335mm x W119mm
Media/Materials description
basalt stone
History and use
Kiwai 'type' axes, used almost exclusively in the Fly River region of New Guinea, are unusually large. In fact, they are among the world's largest axes. However, the stone that they are made from isn't found in the Fly River region. The axes are made of stone from either Cape York or the Torres Strait.
Fly River peoples acquired the stone axes from sources in the Torres Strait or Cape York through trade. The axes were used to make outrigger canoes which, in turn, were traded to Islanders who needed the canoes for daily life, demonstrating a symbiotic relationship between Islanders and Melanesian people.
This axe is part of the collection transferred to Queensland Museum by Sir William MacGregor in 1893.
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).
Fly River peoples acquired the stone axes from sources in the Torres Strait or Cape York through trade. The axes were used to make outrigger canoes which, in turn, were traded to Islanders who needed the canoes for daily life, demonstrating a symbiotic relationship between Islanders and Melanesian people.
This axe is part of the collection transferred to Queensland Museum by Sir William MacGregor in 1893.
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).
Registration number
MAC2
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