Large Stone Age Papuan Mottled Green Polished Axehead

Group of two penannular round-section bracelets with clubbed ends. 150 grams total, 59-63 mm



From the shipwrecked English Schooner 'Douro' sunk off the Isles of Scilly in 1843. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. Each accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity from the Isles of Scilly Underwater Centre.

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.

Including biconvex, annular and other types. 534 grams total, 9.4-10.3 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.