Indonesian Carved Bone Blowgun - Dragon with Animal Carvings

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Borneo. A blowgun of bovid bone carved as a dragon, one end with feathered tail fins. The cylindrical shaft is incised with overlapping scales and a low relief procession of animals including a dog, a bird, a crocodile, a tiger, and a dragon along its length. The bone barrel separates into three sections, and a brass liner tube runs the interior to true the bore. A single bamboo dart with an iron tip rests inside, its butt bound with a cotton wad that seals the bore and drives the dart when air is exhaled. The piece is both a functional weapon and a finely carved object, with imagery drawn from regional lore. Blowguns remained in use among upland and forest peoples across mainland Southeast Asia into the modern era for taking small game and birds, though a bone example of this refinement was more likely a sale, prestige, or presentation piece than a working field tool. Item # 203820

Estimate:$250

View all items fromArtemis Fine ArtsorAsian Art