I agree with Vandoo. The use of rattan points to New Guinea as the origin, as does the T-shaped profile. This would contrast with uniform coconut cord binding and an L-shaped profile for a Polynesian, Micronesian, or small-island Melanesian implement. The shape of the blade (polished and lenticular) also seems more New Guinean to me, although admittedly I'm not terribly expert on all the variations. It's definitely not Bornean, nor is it Polynesian, and it looks Papuan to me. Age is hard to tell from the pics.
It's hard to tell whether it was made for the tourist trade or not, but it's worth saving, as is the bone dagger.
Neat pieces!
F
|