Sword guard

Sword guard. This is potentially part of a i-kiribati type sword that would be used to fashion a guard between the handle and blade sections. An angled length of light weight wood of a light brown colour has been lined with attachments. It is smooth and matte in texture and flat in depth. Two pairs of noko (coconut midrib) line the edges of the angled length of wood. A small strip of te ira (pandanus fibre) has been used to secure the base of the noko. Four wii ni bakoa (sharks teeth) on both sides have been inserted between the noko. A central perforation has been made through each wii ni bakoa for the purpose of inserting kora (cordage made of coconut sennit fibres). The kora has been used to lash horizontally across the angled length of wood while attaching and positioning both the noko and wii ni bakoa. The end of the angled wooden length tapers into a point that has been encased with a woven area of ira. Cordage of irauea (dark brown human hair) has been used to bind the ira to the point and weave across the pinnules to form a checkered pattern. A loose and fibrous fringe of ira extends from the coil of irauea.