Kapak Batu Asmat

Kapak Batu is a traditional stone axe used by indigenous communities in Papua, particularly for tasks such as cutting down trees and processing sago palms, which are essential to their culture and diet. This tool, crafted from stone like nephrite or other durable materials, is attached to a sturdy wooden handle to enhance functionality. The process of making the axe requires significant effort, involving shaping and sharpening stones over weeks or even months to achieve the desired sharpness and strength.

Historically, the Kapak Batu was indispensable for sago extraction, where it was used to cut the trunks of sago palms to harvest their starchy core. Beyond its practical use, this tool held cultural significance, often featured in ceremonial contexts and sometimes used as a form of dowry or trade item. Among the Asmat tribe, for example, the Kapak Batu was valued not only for its utility but also for its aesthetic and symbolic roles, reflecting a deep connection to their environment and traditions.

Papuan Stone Axe and Dowry
Origin: Asmat Tribe, Papua
Material: Wooden Carving, Papuan Nephrite Jade, Job’s tears, Red Orchid Seeds, Bird of Paradise Feathers
Dimension: 50 x 18 x 5 cm