Stone Axe

West Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia - XXᵉ century

Jean-Pierre Dutilleux Collection
Example reproduced in TRIBES - The First People (Éditions Vilo)

ONE OF THE LAST AXES OF ACTIVE LITHIC CULTURES

Before the introduction of metal in certain isolated regions of New Guinea, these forms were the fundamental tool - at once a working instrument, a weapon and a sign of status.

This axe comes from the Una populations of the Papuan highlands, among the last to preserve the use of stone tools until the XXᵉ century.

It is the result of a field collection led by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux. It is documented and published.

BOOK COPY

This axe is reproduced in the reference work TRIBES - The First People, the copy accompanying the piece.

This is the illustrated copy.

A SCULPTURAL PRESENCE

The dense, dark polished stone blade features natural mineral inclusions.

The press-fit system, solidly bound in plant fibers, testifies to perfectly mastered technical know-how.

The naturally curved handle lends a remarkable organic dynamic to the whole.

Beyond its function, the object today stands out as a truly autonomous sculptural form.

ETHNOGRAPHICAL TEXT

In his field reports on the Korowai populations and forest groups of West Papua, Jean-Pierre Dutilleux evokes the existence of warrior traditions and stories linked to ritual cannibalism, reported during exchanges with certain members of the communities he met.

These accounts, collected in an ethnographic field context at the end of the XXᵉ century, must be placed in their cultural and historical context and are today approached with caution by contemporary researchers.

Dutilleux presents them above all as documentary elements participating in the understanding of the symbolic systems, beliefs and social structures of these Papuan forest societies.

IMPORTANCE

New Guinea stone axes still occasionally appear on the market.

But examples combining:
- field collecting
- provenance Jean-Pierre Dutilleux
- publication in a reference work

are exceptionally rare.

DIMENSIONS

Approximately 41 × 39 cm

STATUS

Excellent condition.
Intact antique mounting.
Genuine wear pad.