Inuit Bone Harpoon Point

Comprising: Eora culture piriform fish-hook file; Tharwal culture piriform and columnar fish-hook files; Tharwal culture worked-shell fish hook. 118 grams total, 48-95 mm



From New South Wales, Australia. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.7, 8, 9, 12; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent. Each item accompanied by a copy of an illustrated catalogue information sheet.

An Oceanic fish-hook comprising a D-section wooden shank with polished shell panel (the lure) and barbed bone hook attached with twine. 15.9 grams, hook: 90 mm



From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

This Maori trolling lure fish hook (pā kahawai) comprises three pieces – a worked piece of polished haliotis or paua shell attached to a curved, wooden shank, and then a carved long barb. Each of the segments is held in place by tightly bound muka fibre. Such lures were used by the Maori to fish for sea salmon (kahawai). The lure would be dragged behind a fast-moving canoe to attract the prey with the haliotis shell glinting in the sun to emulate the scales of fish to attract larger fish. The technique of using a trolling lure was a Polynesian fishing technique that was brought to New Zealand by the Maori and adapted using local materials.

Comprising a split wooden haft with cord bindings, fitted polished stone blade with cord bindings secured with a resinous adhesive. 257 grams, 28 cm



From New South Wales, Australia. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.27; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.