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Marquesas Islands

Oceanian

Wood

Heavy brown wood, probably casuarina (ironwood); well polished. Head of club is carved to form a conventionalized head and face on both sides, with a projecting lateral ridge (diamond shape in X-section) or "ears". Top of the head is thickest part and is slightly concave to form an arm rest. The eyes are formed of two small faces in relief, surrounded by shallow radiating lines; the nose is another face; below this is shallow geometric carving in bands separated by a shallow carved face. Both sides are very much alike. Another shallow face carved on each edge above the projections, and one at the apex of the arch on both sides. Plain shaft expanding at butt. Typical and good example of this type of club. Detailed study in Karl von den Steinen, Die Marquesaner und ihre Kunst.

132cm

8.3cm

8.5cm

Purchased from the estate of George Byron Gordon