A vital part of a hunter’s gear in Papua New Guinea was the spear thrower, a medium-length shaft with a grip and lip at the end, which was used to propel spears or javelins with greater force. Holding the spear parallel to the thrower, the hunter would use an ornamental thumb guard, attached to the center of the thrower, to keep the spear in place and guide its aim. The ornaments were often carved quite elaborately, taking the shape of humans and animals. This example suggests an abstract human face, the eye design of which may symbolize a parrot’s mouth.