18TH CENTURY FIJIAN "VUNIKAU" WAR CLUB W/ 8 WHALE TOOTH IVORY INLAYS & ORIGINAL SENNIT BINDING

Origin: W. Polynesian, Fiji   (Provenance:  Offered from my personal collection.  Previously in an old collection in Maine.  Details to be provided to buyer)

Period/Date:  Likely late 18th century

Materials:  Reddish Hardwood, Whale tooth ivory, Breadfruit sap resin, Sennit Fiber

Description:  Here's a magnificent rootstock club "vunikau" with 8 Whale tooth ivory inlays (presented on a custom metal stand).  It was most likely made by a Tongan craftsman, a canoe builder, working in Fiji at the end of the 18th Century.  Ivory was the sole property of high chiefs and possession by others was punishable by death.  This club is extremely graceful and full of "mana" with the root head having been carefully manicured to the required shape to receive the various ivory inlays of stars, moons, and suns.  What's especially significant is this amazing object still retains most of its original exceedingly fine coconut fiber or sennit binding on the handle.  The patina is also quite extraordinary spanning its length.  There are two old museum numbers on it, one a printed label 375 and the other in black ink at the bottom of the club 947 947.   

Dimensions:   Length 44" (112 cm), Width 4"  (10 cm)

Price:  Upon Request