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Wood (Casuarina equisetifolia) Dimensions: Height 66.7cm Presumed date of origin: 19th century Fiji Islands Provenance: Collection John Hewett (1919-1994) London Bonhams Los Angeles, May 11, 2016, lot 68 Collection Mark & Caroline Blackburn, Honolulu Collection Julien Flak, Paris Private collection
This dui club, reserved for chiefs or priests, was carved using a lithic tool and shells.
The handle, trapezoidal in cross-section, is decorated at the grip with chiselled checkerboard motifs, bordered at the top and bottom by two zigzag lines.
The club curves progressively outwards, the edges becoming thinner and sharper, and ends crescent-shaped at the top.
This weapon was used to break bones with its sharp edges and could be used as a shield to ward off arrows and slingshot projectiles thanks to its “fan-shaped” top.
Beautiful reddish-brown patina from use.
If this type of club originated in Tonga or Samoa, the decoration on the grip and the absence of a tenon for the passage of a lanyard seem to indicate a Fijian origin for this one.
Price: €16,000
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