Whats that spell? TAIAHA?

Tim Simmons · 3rd August 2012, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the interest Barry. I cannot be sure what the writing says. It could be bad spelling, a version of how a name sounds or a regional name, anything really. Just because it looks like a Taiaha does not mean it is a Maori weapon. The balance is very good held above the spear point ball so to speak. It is very easy to swing in a fast manner one handed for such a long club. I show it with a similar form but very different wood sword club. You have to hold the sword club at the spear point part, also has a midrib where as the new item is a flat paddle form. I also show it next to a New Britain club needing both hands to control to show you just how substancial it is. I have been looking into Moari weapons but all the example of long clubs of varrious form I have found are all fine examples with carving. I doubt it is a tourist Taiaha as it is plain and has seen much wear. There is a possibility that it could be from the Chatham Islands? where the work on weapons is far less refined.

kahnjar1 · 4th August 2012, 04:27 AM

You are of course assuming that all Taiaha were carved...............
Certinly NOT a tourist piece as all those are usually heavily decorated to attract the eye of the unwary.

Tim Simmons · 4th August 2012, 09:20 AM

Good point Stu. I had similar thoughts like assuming they are all around 150cm long and always top quallity?

kahnjar1 · 4th August 2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Good point Stu. I had similar thoughts like assuming they are all around 150cm long and always top quallity?

.............and sometimes top quality junk............

Tim Simmons · 4th August 2012, 04:34 PM

Indeed so Stu. There are a great deal of best said "reproduction" decoratively carved Maori weapons to be had. I am starting to think that the writing may very well say Taiaha though the fourth letter the second "a" is most unclear. I am also a lot happier about the length which I got wrong it is 118cm or 46.5 inches for those that size is important. Thats considerably larger than the example in the link with rather strong but simple carving. The only fly in the ointment is the rather ugly cuts to each side to the spear end. This with the remnants of tiny steel screws makes me think the damage was caused in fixing the item to a wall display of some kind.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6683521

3rd August 2012, 07:01 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,930	Thanks for the interest Barry. I cannot be sure what the writing says. It could be bad spelling, a version of how a name sounds or a regional name, anything really. Just because it looks like a Taiaha does not mean it is a Maori weapon. The balance is very good held above the spear point ball so to speak. It is very easy to swing in a fast manner one handed for such a long club. I show it with a similar form but very different wood sword club. You have to hold the sword club at the spear point part, also has a midrib where as the new item is a flat paddle form. I also show it next to a New Britain club needing both hands to control to show you just how substancial it is. I have been looking into Moari weapons but all the example of long clubs of varrious form I have found are all fine examples with carving. I doubt it is a tourist Taiaha as it is plain and has seen much wear. There is a possibility that it could be from the Chatham Islands? where the work on weapons is far less refined. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 3rd August 2012 at 08:39 PM. Reason: Spelling Spelling

4th August 2012, 04:34 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,930	Indeed so Stu. There are a great deal of best said "reproduction" decoratively carved Maori weapons to be had. I am starting to think that the writing may very well say Taiaha though the fourth letter the second "a" is most unclear. I am also a lot happier about the length which I got wrong it is 118cm or 46.5 inches for those that size is important. Thats considerably larger than the example in the link with rather strong but simple carving. The only fly in the ointment is the rather ugly cuts to each side to the spear end. This with the remnants of tiny steel screws makes me think the damage was caused in fixing the item to a wall display of some kind. http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6683521 Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 4th August 2012 at 05:51 PM. Reason: Spelling Spelling

4th August 2012, 04:27 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,816	You are of course assuming that all Taiaha were carved............... Certinly NOT a tourist piece as all those are usually heavily decorated to attract the eye of the unwary.

4th August 2012, 09:20 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,930	Good point Stu. I had similar thoughts like assuming they are all around 150cm long and always top quallity?