#3  18TH C. FIJIAN ULA WITH 4 INSET HUMAN TEETH

Origin: W. Polynesia, Fiji   (Provenance: Ex. Casey and Laurie Conway Collection, Kingman Arizona.  Ex. Brant Mackley Hummelstown- Pennsylvania, Ex. Mark Blackburn- Hawaii.  Originally Deaccessioned from the Brandeis University Museum "Rose Art" in Waltham Massachusetts)

Period/Date:  18th century

Materials:  Hardwood (root of a shrub), human teeth, sap resin

Description:  This superb ula has a dark rich patina and features four inset original human teeth.  Its elegantly shaped head has a slight peak with various natural crevasses.  It retains two ancient old labels but are not legible.  It has significant age and is in good condition except for an old scorched area on the hand grip.  It is possible the scorching was intentional giving the owner a customized fit for his hand.   Presented on a custom metal stand.

On page 137 of "Fijian Weapons and Warfare", 1977, Fergus Clunie says this: As with the two-handed clubs, a tally of the throwing club's kills was kept by inlaying their teeth, one tooth per kill, in the head of the throwing club, this being deliberate inlay and not the chance result of the victims having been 'clubbed' in their mouths.  A tally of the kills was also kept by nicking or notching the handle.

Dimensions:   Height 17"  (43 cm), Width 3.5"  (9 cm)

Price:   SOLD