Coconut charm to ward off evil spirits, Papua New Guinea, 1890-1920
- Made:
- 1890-1920 in Papua New Guinea
- maker:
- Unknown
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LicenseCoconut charm or 'Lakakare' carved to represent swordfish with
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Coconut charm or "Lakakare" carved to represent sword fish with separate bone sword jaw, secured inside cover strong bag with strap, worn to keep off evil spirits, Papuan Gulf area, New Guinea, 1890-1920
LaKaKare charms from Papua New Guinea were often made from carved coconuts. The charms represented marine creatures – in this case a swordfish – or the heads of pigs. This charm has a swordfish jaw attached at the bottom. The hollow coconut would have been filled with substances believed to have magical powers. The fibre bag allowed travellers to carry the charm around their necks to ward off danger.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A160938
- Materials:
- shell, coconut, fishbone and bag, string
- Measurements:
-
coconut: length 110 mm
with bone "sword": length 167 mm
with strap: length 370 mm
coconut: diameter 48 mm
bag: diameter 60 mm
- type:
- amulet
- credit:
- Sothebys
