Solomon Island region styles
 

I know you have all seen these before but I have nobody remotely interested in this sort of thing than you all here.

Playing with my toys it just struck me that these pictures present varying ages but most of all two schools of production. I understand the Solomons is a very difficult area of study. Due to many reasons of cultural change on both the producer and I would say more so on the side of collectors, and a general lack of verified documentation . There is a lot of established museum comment on shell work being {new art} of the 1900s and largely for sale. However a quick search can reveal many examples of cultural artifacts decorated with shell inlay in the 19th century, giant feast bowls and so on, including weapons. I do not expect any answers but I just thought the two styles worthy of comment.

Have you made any attempt to rank these clubs according to your opinion of age?

Beyond that, it would be of interest to examine them for signs of usage for their intended purpose. Chips, bloodstains, wear patterns etc all contribute to the process of evaluation. UV examination might prove interesting.

Just as an aside ... for anyone interested in historic warfare in the Solomon Islands, I can recommend reading the true story of an Orkney sailor who was held captive there for several years... "The White Headhunter" by Nigel Randell.

Exciting stuff !

I would say all are made in the 20th century some in the first half others later still.., not because of the inlay those can be found on older items from the Solomons (like you said, just look at the nguzunguzu prow figures)

The fiber braid work on it looks very crude compared to the older examples, different material too in my opinion.

Here is my Solomon islands club from the Rennel Islands
Wood with nautilus shell inlay
Regards

RAJESH

This link gives one a good idea how much of a "frontier land" Malaita Island living can be, Malaita being a large island in the Solomons.

http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downlo...tml/ch10.xhtml

early 303 bayonet on the policeman's rifle?