length 40 1/4in (102.5cm)
kiakavowaka, bearing Tongan relief carving; extremely fine, rich dark-brown patina with white pigments embedded in the carving.

Provenance:
The Estate of a Private West Coast Collector

According to Cluny (1986, p. 184), "The appearance of Tongan carving on Vitian weapons is not unusual, clubs often being shaped by one craftsman but decorated by another, while many Vitians and Tongans adopted each other's weapons in the 1800's."

cf. Cluny (1986, fig. 184)

An exceptionally fine example, most likely late 18th to early 19th century. Although a common form of Fiji Island club, the present club is unusual in that it was most likely fabricated by a specialist Tongan canoe craftsman, with thirteen carved glyphs including warriors, fishermen, fish, turtles and other sea and land creatures.