Ax Called Tigo - Papua New Guinea - Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century

Ax Called Tigo
Wuvulu-Aua culture, Bismark Archipelago, Papua New Guinea
Late 19th - early 20th century
Wood and turtle bone 
H. 41 cm

A short cylindrical wooden handle with a rectangular cut-out turtle bone blade on the distal part. 

This particular axe, characteristic of Wuvulu Island, was used for digging dugouts. Two complementary uses are reported: the first by Kevin Conru who described it as a spatula for taro dishes; the second by R. & M. Force for whom the axe was used to cut the fruit of the bread tree.

Provenance: Former Daniel Vigne collection. Paris

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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