BF07 Spearthrower Central Australian Quartz Stone Cutting Edge

Item:                  BF07

Description      Excellent Central Australian spearthrower or Woomera, early to mid 20th Century and of leaf shape. The handle with a quartz blade tip which is attached with black gum from the triodia plant is used for digging & cutting and the wood spur at other end is bound with kangaroo sinew. Woomera are thought to have been used for over 5,000 years. Woomera used in central and western Australian deserts were multi-purpose tools. Occasionally shaped like long narrow bowls, they would be used for carrying vegetable matter as well as food items like lizards or seeds. Some Woomera, as in this example, had a sharp stone cutting edge attached at the end of the handle with black gum from the ‘Triodia’ plant. This sharp tool had many uses, such as cutting up game or other food and wood and could have possibly also been used as a shield for protection against enemies spears and boomerangs.

Size                       77cm (30″) o/a

Price                    USD$495