War Cub
Kanak, New Caledonia, 19th C.
PROVENANCE: Paul Baus Collection, Kent Ohio; acquired from L. Sunde, Ethnografica Gallery, Copenhagen, in 1965.

War clubs are some of the most highly prized and intricately decorated objects representing different Polynesian cultures. This club is distinctly New Caledonian because of its simplicity and the slight flare of the bottom handle. War clubs were used for both ceremonial and warfare purposes. These weapons were made of the hardest materials available; wood, stone, or whalebone. This war club is particularly intriguing due to the 19th century English label describing it as a "Heathen War Club".

Height: 26 in.
In 10-13-13 / SOLD