It's in a book.

fireiceviper · 13th August 2018, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Any chance of more info about the book posted here? The man with the ornate stick tells those with the swords and knives where to go and fight.

these 2 publications

Power and Prestige The Arts of Island Melanesia and the Polynesian Outliers by Norman Hurst

the other is an auction catalog:

TRÉSORS D'ART OCÉANIEN - COLLECTION RAINER WERNER BOCK

Tim Simmons · 19th August 2018, 07:00 PM

While waiting for the arrival of the Solomon Islands club/scepter or mace. I have purchased this mace curio. Sold as a oceanic club. I went for it as it is a unusual European ( English) item. Clearly not a weapon but symbol of authority in Catholicism. I also think that it may well be rather old as in really quite old. Judging by the size of the terminals, with the aid of magnification, I think are turned ivory so I am stuck with it. It is 60 cm long and 7.5 cm diameter. I add it here to show the parallel function of a ceremonial mace in differing cultures carried to denote specialist authority.

Tim Simmons · 22nd August 2018, 04:57 PM

I have it now and it is rather nice, heavy and very much a club. It is beautifully finished with no trace of file marks just the random carving scratch marks one would expect to find. Clearly there is not the deep brown patina of the much loved mid 19th century clubs. However who really knows why and when these things were created, also who knows when they were collected {how old they are at the time of collection} and how well they have been kept until in your hands. I think it best to say this example is pre 1940s. Do not let that make you think it was all over for traditional weapons on the Solomons, kastom has not vanished. The design is most accomplished with the shark form morphing into a beaked face and masterful placing of fine cut shell. Following the killing of colonial governor William Bell in 1927, when groups of islanders were dispersed traditional weapons were left scattered around. I show it with a few other shell decorated pieces left in my possession 9 in total. IMHO this example knock much Ulas into a cocked hat at a 10th of the price and 10 times less common.

Also if you have not already viewed this pdf you can now.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Malaita_online.pdf

19th August 2018, 07:00 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,742	While waiting for the arrival of the Solomon Islands club/scepter or mace. I have purchased this mace curio. Sold as a oceanic club. I went for it as it is a unusual European ( English) item. Clearly not a weapon but symbol of authority in Catholicism. I also think that it may well be rather old as in really quite old. Judging by the size of the terminals, with the aid of magnification, I think are turned ivory so I am stuck with it. It is 60 cm long and 7.5 cm diameter. I add it here to show the parallel function of a ceremonial mace in differing cultures carried to denote specialist authority. Attached Images

22nd August 2018, 04:57 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,742	I have it now and it is rather nice, heavy and very much a club. It is beautifully finished with no trace of file marks just the random carving scratch marks one would expect to find. Clearly there is not the deep brown patina of the much loved mid 19th century clubs. However who really knows why and when these things were created, also who knows when they were collected {how old they are at the time of collection} and how well they have been kept until in your hands. I think it best to say this example is pre 1940s. Do not let that make you think it was all over for traditional weapons on the Solomons, kastom has not vanished. The design is most accomplished with the shark form morphing into a beaked face and masterful placing of fine cut shell. Following the killing of colonial governor William Bell in 1927, when groups of islanders were dispersed traditional weapons were left scattered around. I show it with a few other shell decorated pieces left in my possession 9 in total. IMHO this example knock much Ulas into a cocked hat at a 10th of the price and 10 times less common. Also if you have not already viewed this pdf you can now. http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Malaita_online.pdf Attached Images