An Unusual Polynesian Fighting Club

With a superb geometric upper section and unusual spiral twist grip
Dark glossy patina and excellent colour, with a lug to the butt and ‘old’ paper label to the top
Wood
Tonga
Early 19th Century

Size: 77.5cm long - 30½ ins long

Provenance:
Ex Private English collection

It was the simple iron nail which, came into the hands of Tongan craftsmen by trade with Cooks ships in 1773 that brought about a remarkable change in the surface decoration of the traditional clubs. Instead of the partial engraving normally employed, post contact clubs had much more elaborate decoration and were sometimes inlaid. By the end of the 18th century European tools had thus begun to supersede the traditional ones made of stone, bone or shark's teeth.