Fire Piston
P497A
From: Borneo | Sarawak | Saribas River
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Object Number | P497A |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Iban |
| Provenience | Borneo | Sarawak | Saribas River |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood | Metal | Nut (plant) | Plant Fiber |
| Description | Fire piston. Guchi api. Brass. Large nut shell with tinder inside. "A fire syringe, used by the Saribas Ibans, consisting of a brass cylinder lined with lead, and a tightly-fitting, wooden piston; on the tip of the piston is placed a small piece of tinder made from a mossy lichen, and by driving the piston violently into the cylinder and rapidly withdrawing it, the sudden compression and exhaustion of the air ignite the tinder. The operation requires great dexterity. (The Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters) |
| Length | 12.7 cm |
| Credit Line | Gift of Dr. William H. Furness 3rd., 1898 |
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