Malaita club.

[M ELEY]

Beautiful club indeed. I used to have an older one in less fine shape, but a true fighter. It had the ratten wrapping on the grip. Edge-Partington's Ethnographic Guide is another exceptional book that i had originally used to identify mine. I remember reading in a volume on head-hunting (sorry, a possibly offensive subject) that a young Malaitan male was not considered a warrior until he had claimed his first victem with this type club. He would keep a swath of hair from the slain and wear it in his tribal hat, if I remember correctly. fascinating, if somewhat ghoulish. Many of the Polynesian tribes were, of course, quite ferocious.

[VANDOO]

I WILL ADD A FEW MORE PICTURES OF THE FORM, IN SOME WAYS ITS SHAPE REMINDS ME OF A FISH. I ALSO INCLUDE A PICTURE WITH SEVERAL FORMS OF CLUB FROM THE SOLOMONS.

[Tim Simmons]

I am most grateful for the supportive comments. I think this club may have some age to it, at least very early 20th century? Here are some more pictures untill I have it. I do not believe one can create a patina but if it is there it can be brought forward with the right care. I am quite hopeful that this has not been a waste of money. The link is interesting, I like the dark club second bottom.

http://www.arthur-beau-palmer-artifa....asp?PageID=70

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
Images of a club from the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow University.
Museum notes, "It has been included in the Robertson Catalogue as 'William Hunter from Captain Cook' on unknown evidence. The coating of black varnish indicates that it may have been part of the Old Hunterian Collection. This club may also be one of the 'Several War Clubs' mentioned in Captain John Laskey's 1813 account of the Museum."
Regards,
Norman.

[Tim Simmons]

It is here and as I say not the finest of carving but still a splendid thing. It appears to be carved with stone blades or at least without the use of metal files. I think it would not be unreasonable to think it dates from early 20th century possibly even circa 1900? when I judge the patina with our late 19th century dining table.
In form it is like an axe. A blow to your chest would crack your sternum, a blow to the head would be like taking the top off your boilled egg. As I guessed 18cm across at the stricking end. I show it with a selection of other clubs. I have added pictures from the book mention earlier for atmospherics. The map of Malaita Island shows the three main tribal groups. The Kwara'ae, Kawaio and the Are'are. Sure there would be many sub tribes? Note the police have Lee Enfield rifles. There is a famous picture of Geronimo with a Snider.

[Tim Simmons]

Cool caption, peoples of the world printed 1918. The chap with the belt, I bet he is the sort of fellow to carve a club like mine. I imagine these are friendlies.