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Solomon Islands Trawling Lure Solomon Islands Trawling Lure Solomon Islands Trawling Lure
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Details

LOT 2405

Solomon Islands Trawling Lure

CIRCA 19TH CENTURY A.D.

3 1/4 in. (12.9 grams, 81 mm).

An Oceanic fish lure comprising a polished shell body and a carved hook attached to the reverse with twine. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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.

Literature

See Waite, D. & Conru, K., Solomon Islands Art: The Conru Collection, 5 Continents, 2008. Blau, D., & Maas, K., Fish Hooks of the Pacific Islands, Hirmer, 2012; Brunt, P. & Thomas, N., Oceania, Royal Academy of Arts, 2018; Grulke, W., Adorned by Nature: Adornment, Exchange & Myth in the South Seas, At One Communications, 2022.

Footnotes

Such lures were not used with bait but were dragged behind a fast-moving canoe to attract the prey with the abalone shell glinting in the sun to emulate the scales of a fish in order to attract larger fish.

CONDITION
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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 2405

Solomon Islands Trawling Lure

Sold for (Inc. bp): £780

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