Skip to main content
Image  of
Quiver of Poison Arrows thumbnail 1
Quiver of Poison Arrows thumbnail 2
+3
images
Not on display

This object consists of 21 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Quiver of Poison Arrows

19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Assam (made)

The poison used was probably derived from Antiaris toxicaria a tree well known among the forest inhabitants of South East Asia. The tree has many uses from simple shade to nutrient rich leaf litter, dyes from the bark and traditional medicines from the leaves and roots. The latex sap contains a cardiac glycoside called antiarin with heart arresting potential. In Javanese tradition Antiaris toxicaria is used with an extract derived from the seeds of the St. Ignatius bean tree Strychnos ignatii to make arrow poison called upas.

Object details

Categories
Arms & Armour
India Museum
Object type
Quiver of poison arrows
Parts
This object consists of 21 parts.

  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Arrow
  • Quiver
Brief description
Wickerwork quiver containing 20 cane arrows with palm leaf flights, some poison tipped, Assam, 19th century
Physical description
Wickerwork quiver containing 20 cane arrows with palm leaf flights, some poison tipped
Dimensions
    Credit line
    Transferred from the India Museum in 1879
    Historical context
    One of a number of sets of poisoned arrows and darts used by jungle dwellers of S E Asia for hunting and warfare. The poisons are usually derived from plant extracts taken from lianas and other vegetation. They act on the nervous system causing muscular convulsions, paralysis and death. Delivery via arrow or dart is almost silent while the poison breaks down in the target making it a very effective means of stealthily hunting out of reach prey in the jungle canopy.
    Production
    Used by the Abors
    Transferred from the India Museum to South Kensington Museum in 1879
    Summary
    The poison used was probably derived from Antiaris toxicaria a tree well known among the forest inhabitants of South East Asia. The tree has many uses from simple shade to nutrient rich leaf litter, dyes from the bark and traditional medicines from the leaves and roots. The latex sap contains a cardiac glycoside called antiarin with heart arresting potential. In Javanese tradition Antiaris toxicaria is used with an extract derived from the seeds of the St. Ignatius bean tree Strychnos ignatii to make arrow poison called upas.
    Bibliographic references
    • Lord Egerton of Tatton, Indian and Oriental Armour, London, 1896, p. 89, Cat. No. 148 or 150
    • Egerton, Wilbraham, An illustrated handbook of Indian arms; being a classified and descriptive catalogue of the arms exhibited at the India museum: with an introductory sketch of the military history of India, London, 1880 p.89
    Other numbers
    • 148 or 150 - Egerton Catalogue Number
    • 12,697-1855 - India Museum Slip Book
    Collection
    South & South East Asia Collection
    Accession number
    2910(IS)

    About this object record

    Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

    You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

    Suggest feedback

    Record createdMarch 6, 2003
    Record URL
    https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76093/quiver-of-poison-unknown/
    Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest

    You may also like