Papua New Guinean Middle Fly River Arrow with Serrated Tip

A long, dark spear tip stepped like a tiny pagoda, finished with three prongs.

This arrow with a serrated tip is from Middle Fly River, Western Province, Papua New Guinea. It is bamboo & pigment. Natural pigments such as ochre and charcoal are commonly used in New Guinea to color weapons and ornaments, and painted designs often carry local meaning. A slim pointed tip rises through a series of notched, leaf-like segments in dark brown and pale cream. Near the base three prongs fan out, with small painted bands, and the shaft below is dark and narrow. It is 58.5 inches high.

A small weapon with a full wardrobe of details.