Wahaika Short Club

This traditionally-shaped wahaika club is adorned with a figure in the prolongation of the grip, whose body is significantly arched by the backward spreading of the arms. The face, with its haliotis-encrusted eyes, has its mouth open and tongue out, in reference to the ritual gesture of defiance adopted by Maori warriors.
Worn on the belt, this type of short, close-combat weapon was favored by warriors for its simple, effective handling, designed to strike vital points on the face or body.

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1- Founded in 1893, the Denver Art Museum acquired its first work of art from Oceania in the 1930s. The collection comprises almost 1,000 pieces representing all the major island groups, with a particular focus on late 18th and early 19th century woodcarving.

Price: €15,000