Ulas? Oceanic teaser

[Tim Simmons]

Wanting to explore the idea that the yellowing of MOP and the style of application is a strong or even good way for self experienced collectors to be sure of authenticating the age and origin of oceanic material. The use of MOP is used extensively through out western and eastern pacific islands. Here are two examples of material from Samoa sourced from the online data base of Berlin Ethnographic Museum 9270 items and that is just a sample.

Now to my piece, when seen next to this African horn and ivory baton. I no longer think, and fairly obviously so, it is not an Ulas from Fiji. It could be from many other Islands. Alas a similar item cannot be found in a publication, bibles for collectors . So the function is open to speculation. However bâton de commandement are a global phenomenon and are most often of the size shown, again speculation. Dance and other cultural activities also involve accoutrement. Dance sticks and wands are well documented. As so much in live the big boss does not carry a big stick that is for low classes. Anyway the pictures tell a thousand words.