Fijian Sali from Brimfield

Lee · 14th September 2010, 07:28 PM

I have a close friend who refinishes and rebuilds antique furniture who was over to the house yesterday evening, so we gave this sali a very close look. As a control, examination of my gata gave the expected result of 'unrecognized exotic wood,' but he felt that the grain and density of this sali were consistent with mahogany. He noted that the coating on the broken spur appears to overlay the adjacent finish slightly and to be slightly different and then he remarked that this coating reminded him a lot of the old failed shellac he regularly deals with. So I approached the sali this afternoon with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and found the black finish promptly dissolved. So we are dealing with some variant of old shellac.

Tim Simmons · 27th January 2012, 07:46 PM

I have only recently got a copy of "Fijian Weapons & Warfare" costly for a paperback but wow you need it. Anyway Lee this extract may just be what you need, as clearly your club is an old one and perhaps early. We have no idea what sort of resinous and soot based paint the Fijians used.

Gavin Nugent · 27th January 2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I have only recently got a copy of "Fijian Weapons & Warfare" costly for a paperback but wow you need it. Anyway Lee this extract may just be what you need, as clearly your club is an old one and perhaps early. We have no idea what sort of resinous and soot based paint the Fijians used.

Indeed an extremely important reference Tim, one I am always fasinated by. The depth of first hand exposure in the notes along with some very fine line drawings and other images makes for one of the best works I have seen to dates on Oceanic weapons from a specific region...I can't think of another that comes close.

Lee · 30th January 2012, 08:29 PM

Hi Tim - thank you for this excerpt. Please rest assured that with my indolent nature, no more of that paint has been removed beyond the tiny test spot. I suppose it is possible they might have used a shellac base or else perhaps some local vegetable substance..

14th September 2010, 07:28 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 940	Good observation Vandoo! I have a close friend who refinishes and rebuilds antique furniture who was over to the house yesterday evening, so we gave this sali a very close look. As a control, examination of my gata gave the expected result of 'unrecognized exotic wood,' but he felt that the grain and density of this sali were consistent with mahogany. He noted that the coating on the broken spur appears to overlay the adjacent finish slightly and to be slightly different and then he remarked that this coating reminded him a lot of the old failed shellac he regularly deals with. So I approached the sali this afternoon with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and found the black finish promptly dissolved. So we are dealing with some variant of old shellac.

27th January 2012, 07:46 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I have only recently got a copy of "Fijian Weapons & Warfare" costly for a paperback but wow you need it. Anyway Lee this extract may just be what you need, as clearly your club is an old one and perhaps early. We have no idea what sort of resinous and soot based paint the Fijians used. Attached Images

30th January 2012, 08:29 PM	#4
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 940	Hi Tim - thank you for this excerpt. Please rest assured that with my indolent nature, no more of that paint has been removed beyond the tiny test spot. I suppose it is possible they might have used a shellac base or else perhaps some local vegetable substance..