metal weapons and tools in the pacific

[Tim Simmons]

This book is well worth getting { Pacific Encounters, art & divinity in Polynesia 1760-1860, available from amazon pbk} as it mentions the use of metal from the very first European and whaler visits to Polynesia. Mention is made that many of the finest pieces of sculpture collected by these early voyages were carved with metal trade tools. There are weapons in this book but all made of wood as the focus is on the earliest period. Other publications do highlight the observances of the use of the forge in Polynesia and further afield. Cpt Cook had to issuse an order of no iron trade because ships nails were in great demand. In the coming years the Islanders were able to demand what trade items they wanted. I see no reason to not believe that between visits the necessity to forge metal did not arise especially as these ports of call were so important for resupply and repairs? It is most curious that publications on the arts of Polynesia do not include metalwork. I might suggest this is because it is not what the buying public expect. Compared to the standard ideas of discovering Polynesia with its wonderful sculpture, and following colonisation, metalwork is too advanced and a little dull.