3521 VINTAGE HAWAIIAN OR POLYNESIAN SHARK TOOTH SWORD.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 150.00 USD
Estimated at 300.00 - 400.00 USD
37.5" overall, not in the best condition but still retains most of its original drilled and tied very small shark's teeth, each less than 1/2 inch. About 100 of these little sharks teeth remain still individually tied and mounted between 2 pieces of reed to hold them in place. There are 3 collection numbers painted, one labeled Long Island Historical Society so most likely sold by Sotheby's in the mid 1990s after Long Island Historical was absorbed by New York Historical and much material was sold off. Regardless, this is an interesting piece of curioso that original examples are only found in museums today. CONDITION: fair, many of the teeth are broken or missing, sinew cording is loose, but it is original unlike the numerous reproductions found on the market today. PROVENANCE: from Long Island Historical Society; Martin Lane Historic & Western Americana Lifetime Collection. (02-21489/JS). $300-400.