Large Pacific Island club

Ron Anderson · 2nd September 2010, 11:59 AM

I bought this at auction a short while back. It's in a nice condition. It is old and appears to be stone carved. Surprisingly light though for such a large club. It still has the fibre on the handle, and this shows a fair bit of age.

I've concluded this is a Tongan apa'apai. However, I'm not entirely sure.

It has very little ornament. It is big.

That's about all I know about it.

If anybody knows what it is and has anything more to add, I'd appreciate your comments.

Tim Simmons · 3rd September 2010, 06:28 PM

Ron, this thread shows illustrations of similar form clubs. Close ups and sizes might help? The binding might suggest Solomon Islands?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...elanesian+club

Ron Anderson · 4th September 2010, 01:46 AM

Hi Tim

Thanks for your response. There are obviously clubs in those illustrations that vaguely fit the profile of my club. But I still have no real idea of what it is.

I am going to stick my neck out and assert it must be early to mid 19th century. It has a fair bit of wear and a pretty interesting patina.

I have a small Solomon Islands 'Malaita' club with the some sort of fibre binding. So you may be correct on that attribution.

This 'pole club' is pretty workmanlike. It certainly has a great balance. It is light as a feather.

I have no idea what sort of wood it might be. It's certainly not palm. It has some blackening which has been coming off over time.

But I'll add a close-up or two a little later.

Clubs & Arrows · 4th September 2010, 04:47 AM

Hi Ron,
I'm not sure from the pics, but is the top triangular with a semi rounded back? If so, because the size and the amount of weaving, you may have an older Samoan Kilikiti bat.http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/Theme.aspx?irn=2188

regards,
Joe

Ron Anderson · 4th September 2010, 05:33 AM

Hi Joe

Golly gosh, I think you are right.

That is disappointing.

A cricket bat! That's just not cricket. Cricket bats should look like cricket bats.

I don't collect cricket bats, I collect clubs

Thank you for your insight.

Ron

Ron Anderson · 4th September 2010, 05:43 AM

This is an immensely useful forum. Thank you, everyone.

This must be a 19th century kilikiti and it seems and it could've originated from a number of places in Polynesia, including Samoa and New Zealand.

I will hang onto this. It isn't what it appeared so obviously to be – a club. However, it is interesting nonetheless.

Beware of presumption. It will trip you up every time!

2nd September 2010, 11:59 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Large Pacific Island club I bought this at auction a short while back. It's in a nice condition. It is old and appears to be stone carved. Surprisingly light though for such a large club. It still has the fibre on the handle, and this shows a fair bit of age. I've concluded this is a Tongan apa'apai. However, I'm not entirely sure. It has very little ornament. It is big. That's about all I know about it. If anybody knows what it is and has anything more to add, I'd appreciate your comments. Attached Images

3rd September 2010, 06:28 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,824	Ron, this thread shows illustrations of similar form clubs. Close ups and sizes might help? The binding might suggest Solomon Islands? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...elanesian+club

4th September 2010, 01:46 AM	#3
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Tim Thanks for your response. There are obviously clubs in those illustrations that vaguely fit the profile of my club. But I still have no real idea of what it is. I am going to stick my neck out and assert it must be early to mid 19th century. It has a fair bit of wear and a pretty interesting patina. I have a small Solomon Islands 'Malaita' club with the some sort of fibre binding. So you may be correct on that attribution. This 'pole club' is pretty workmanlike. It certainly has a great balance. It is light as a feather. I have no idea what sort of wood it might be. It's certainly not palm. It has some blackening which has been coming off over time. But I'll add a close-up or two a little later.

4th September 2010, 04:47 AM	#4
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Hi Ron, I'm not sure from the pics, but is the top triangular with a semi rounded back? If so, because the size and the amount of weaving, you may have an older Samoan Kilikiti bat.http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/Theme.aspx?irn=2188 regards, Joe

4th September 2010, 05:33 AM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Joe Golly gosh, I think you are right. That is disappointing. A cricket bat! That's just not cricket. Cricket bats should look like cricket bats. I don't collect cricket bats, I collect clubs Thank you for your insight. Ron

4th September 2010, 05:43 AM	#6
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	This is an immensely useful forum. Thank you, everyone. This must be a 19th century kilikiti and it seems and it could've originated from a number of places in Polynesia, including Samoa and New Zealand. I will hang onto this. It isn't what it appeared so obviously to be – a club. However, it is interesting nonetheless. Beware of presumption. It will trip you up every time!