Tongan War Club

Tongan War Club

There is a distinct limited range of clubs compared to the Fijians, however what was produced are some of the finest of the Polynesian clubs. They are usually beautifully formed and ornately engraved with rectilinear designs. The quality of the mans club was a sign of his social status. They were used in tribal warfare but also in dance and combat for entertainment. Decoration was applied to the clubs not all at once but gradually over the course of time. It was applied after victorious battles as commemorative emblems and may have had magic connotations. This club is called a coconut stalk ( apa apai ) type . It is battle scarred on some of the striking sections but even these chips have a dark aged patina. Circa 18th/19th century.

Length 90cm on a custom mounted stand

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