Asmat Cassowary Bone Dagger (Pi Pisuwe) bangles A finely cast small bronze

A finely cast small bronze buckle

The bottle is remarkably well-preserved

flowing mane with a prominent forelock

The figure's looped arms and hands-on-hips stance convey an authoritative posture

Asmat Cassowary Bone Dagger (Pi Pisuwe) bangles A finely cast small bronzeAsmat people, early to mid 20th century, Irian Jaya (Papua), Indonesia A superb early cassowary bone dagger. Daggers of this type are known as pi pisuwe, while those carved from human femur were reserved for the most sacred and high status contexts. Although carried during displays of warfare, bone daggers were principally used in ritual killings, initiations, and ceremonial attire, symbolising courage, prestige and ancestral power. The Asmat inhabit