Maori Maripi

kronckew · 20th April 2016, 07:20 PM

arrived today from a UK dealer, maori shark toothed cutting impliment, kind of a utility knife used to slice meat and veg mostly, but also humans as the need arose. 6 shark teeth are from the 6 or 7 gilled sharks native to the NZ area. they are held together by some sort of fibre and resin in a groove in the wood, hard to see exactly. they are razor sharp too. this one is 23 cm. long. (black cord was added by me to hang it)

not sure how old. vendor didn't think it was antique. i note the pommel holes are carved in, not drilled. i did a search on the web & only found a few examples, most in this size range, inc. a slightly smaller one in the NZ museum. also saw a much larger swordlike one listed as a chief's maripi.

20th April 2016, 07:20 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	Maori Maripi arrived today from a UK dealer, maori shark toothed cutting impliment, kind of a utility knife used to slice meat and veg mostly, but also humans as the need arose. 6 shark teeth are from the 6 or 7 gilled sharks native to the NZ area. they are held together by some sort of fibre and resin in a groove in the wood, hard to see exactly. they are razor sharp too. this one is 23 cm. long. (black cord was added by me to hang it) not sure how old. vendor didn't think it was antique. i note the pommel holes are carved in, not drilled. i did a search on the web & only found a few examples, most in this size range, inc. a slightly smaller one in the NZ museum. also saw a much larger swordlike one listed as a chief's maripi. Attached Images