Club

29-93-16

From: Marquesas Islands

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Object Number 29-93-16
Current Location Collections Storage
Provenience Marquesas Islands
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood
Description

War club, wood.

The best known Marquesan weapon is a long, heavy two-handed club called ‘u’u. Clubs of this type were not only effective in battle, but also served as symbols of status for warriors and chiefs. The carved designs, which are repeated on both faces of the club head, include three projecting tiki faces, the top two of which can also be read as “eyes”. Every ‘u’u has the same general design, but no two are precisely alike.

Length 150.6 cm
Width 18 cm
Depth 12.5 cm
Credit Line Purchased from the Estate of George Byron Gordon, 1927

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