Summary
Bow, manufactured in Papua New Guinea, circa 1880, exhibited at the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, where it was acquired by John Twycross.
At the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, many functional and ornamental native weapons were displayed in the various colonial settlement courts. Though no specific mention is made of native weapons in the Netherlands court (Papua and New Guinea being colonies of the Netherlands until April 1883), in the period of the 1880s-1931, the Netherlands had made a great impression at World Fairs with their colonial presentations from the Netherlands East Indies. Entire temples and Javanese villages - inhabitants and all - were constructed on the Exhibition grounds. The public gazed in amazement at the specimens of exotic humanity and the colonial merchandise, raw materials and objects. (www.geheugenvannederland.nl/?/en/collecties/koloniale_wereldtentoonstellingen/wereldtentoonstellingen,11/03/09)
Physical Description
The bow is slightly curved wood, with remains of string at each end. No signature/ markings.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Cultural Gifts Donation from Dr Will Twycross, 23 Jan 2009
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Acknowledgement
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
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Place & Date Made
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Place & Date Exhibited
Royal Exhibition Building (REB), Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880-1881
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Collector
Mr John Twycross, Elsternwick, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880
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Classification
Royal exhibition building, International exhibitions, Exhibition heritage
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
60 mm (Width), 1945 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Exhibitions: Melbourne International, 1880-1881, Royal Exhibition Building, Weapons
