COMPLETELY CARVED 19TH C. TONGAN POLE CLUB W/ IVORY INLAY
Origin:
Period/Date: At least Mid 19th century possibly older
Materials: Ironwood, Whale Tooth Ivory
Description: This HEAVY Tongan pole Club of large proportions features incising over its entire shaft! It weighs 5 pounds and has a simple crescent moon glyph about six inches from the top. It has a classic star Whale tooth ivory inlay in the butt of the handle. Originally there was an inlay in the top as well but it appears at some point in its long life it was used as a food pounder. There is a lot of "change up" in the incised geometric patterns spanning the shaft and I've only shown a sampling of them. This club was obviously important to its owner who would have belonged to someone of high rank and privilege. It likely served dual purposes as a weapon in combat and as a prestige object. You can feel its "mana" when holding it. In fact I tell people to pick it up and enjoy watching their facial expression chance to awe when they feel the weight and power contained in this special specimen. It is in good condition but has obviously been used and has an old chip around the top rim. Its surface appears to have been waxed (not varnished) which is quite common on pieces of this age. Presented on a custom metal stand
Dimensions: Height 43.5" (110.5 cm), Width 2.5" (6.5 cm)
Price: SOLD
THE TOP ALSO HAD AN IVORY INLAY ORIGINALLY
