Aug 30, 2018 · This post looks at one such new acquisition to the Bowers Museum, an approximately 3-foot-long shark tooth sword. Detail of 2018.9.1 illustrating both the binding technique and the chipping resulting from usage.

This sword made from shark teeth was collected by the U.S. Exploring Expedition in the Gilbert Islands.

Indicative of several South Pacific Island peoples, the design of the so called "Shark Tooth" Sword was both unique - and vicious. Made of regional hard woods, fire heated for additional hardness, a typical weapon was roughly 3 to 4.5 feet in length.

This te unun (shark-toothed weapon) from the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati is simultaneously a witness to Indigenous ceremonies and conflicts on a Pacific island, a reminder of the commercial exploitation of marine spaces by the nascent globalization of a young United States, and the memory of a world that no longer exists.

This fine old Sharks Teeth Sword is of the most elegant curved form, the razor-sharp teeth were set in grooves carved into the wood and the teeth were further stabilized with fibre cord that was lashed through each pierced tooth.

Not something that walks through our doors every day. This shark tooth sword came in as part of a large blade collection a few years back and after some discussions with NY and CHI Museums of National History where we were told this is most likely a Gilbert Islander sword dated back to the 1700s which was used in coming of age ceremonies. It …

The main weapons used in such duels were larger shark tooth swords, some featuring three prongs of razor sharp teeth. This secondary or additional sword would have been used in close proximity to a foe in hand-to-hand combat.

Rare Shark-tooth Sword, the carved shaft with carefully mounted double row of shark’s teeth secured in place by a masterful arrangement of coconut fibre cord, the handle with woven cane decoration. 19th or earlier 20th century

Find the perfect sword shark stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Available for both RF and RM licensing.

The Tungaru art of war is famous thanks to weaponry made with three elements: sennit, palmwood, and, of course, shark’s teeth. Indeed, a lot of us have seen pictures of one of these weapons, like this photograph of a fierce warrior wearing a complete set of coconut-fibre armor, another famous item from Tungaru.