Accession No
Z 5415 D
Description
Arrow shaft. Bamboo shaft still bearing the lashing previously holding the point in place. The transition to the butt is bound with plant fibre covered in dark gum or resin. The butt is carved with a nock.
Place
Oceania; Melanesia; ?Vanuatu
Period
Source
?Bartholemew (Mrs) [vendor]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
Z 5415 D
Cultural Affliation
Material
Bamboo; Plant fibre; ?Resin; ?Gum
Local Term
Measurements
12mm x 1043mm
Events
Context (Display)
Little holes drilled in the shaft suggest that this arrow was exhibited in the past.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau
Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card for Z 5415: '8 arrows - bamboo, with nicely carved wooden heads'.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau
Description (Physical description)
Z Register for Z 5415 A-H: 8 arrows'.
Event Date
Author: maa
Description (Physical description)
Arrow shaft. Bamboo shaft still bearing the lashing previously holding the point in place. The transition to the butt is bound with plant fibre covered in dark gum or resin. The butt is carved with a nock.
Event Date 2/3/2026
Author: Lucie Carreau
Context (Acquisition Details)
The entry for Z 5415 A-H in the Z register suggests that the eight arrows were purchased from Mrs Bartholemew in 1908. However, only one (Z 5415 G) bears a label matching this provenance.
By the time the Z numbers were given in the 1920s, some of the arrows had already become dissociated from their acquisition history. It is thus possible that not all the arrows from the Z 5415 A-H bundle were purchased from Mrs Bartholemew. For those not bearing a label, 'Mrs Bartholemew' has been retained as a source but queried, until more information comes to light.
Event Date 2/3/2026
Author: Lucie Carreau
Context (Amendments / updates)
When it was entered into the Z register, this arrow was described as originating from Vanuatu [New Hebrides] but was given no further information in terms of geographical provenance or collection history.
Four of the eight arrows originally registered as Z 5415 are more likely to have originated from Buka. It is possible that this arrow too is not from Vanuatu, but a more informed geographical provenance cannot be suggested at present. Vanuatu has been retained in the place field to the time being, but queried.
Event Date 2/3/2026
Author: Lucie Carreau
FM:328011
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