(CH 321) Massim Presentation Axe.

Ceremonial Axes blades are the most important Kula exchange item after Mwali armbands and Souvala necklaces.
Known as Beku, the dark green blade is valued for its polished finish and the distinctive striations of light green. Many of these greenstone axe heads originated on Muyuw (Woodlark) Island and were widely traded across Papua New Guinea. The haft is known as Valela vaigua which translates as 'its handle is wealth' and its carved from a relatively light wood which makes it unsuitable as a functional object.
It is rare to have the blade with the handle as the blade was usually the piece taken by the receiver back to their village and the handle left with the exchange partner.
Massim Area.

Ht. 90 Cm.
Custom Mounted.

References:
The Melanesians of British New Guinea. C.G. Seligmann Cambridge 1910.

Massim Tribal Art. H.Beran Wollongong City Gallery 1980.