#2  18TH-19TH C. FIJIAN ULA WITH 3 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:  Late 18th- Early 19th century

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

Description:  This ula has a large ball head and features three inset original human teeth.  Its head has various natural crevasses with also extend down into the shaft.  The incised tavatava on the hand grip is precise and well done.   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 16.75"  (42.5 cm), Width 3.75"  (9.5 cm)

Price:  SOLD