Oceanic Club or Hobo Art?

ariel · 27th February 2006, 02:58 AM

A Polynesian Sheshpar!
Or, is it a Hobo Gargaz?

fearn · 27th February 2006, 05:49 AM

My guesses are:
a) it's Melanesian, and
b) it was made by a native craftsman, following native patterns, for a colonial (probably German or British, given the area). Think of this as a cane for a copra plantation master, trader, or something similar. I've read about stuff like this, but never seen an example or a picture I could direct you to.
c) alternatively (less probable) it was made for the tourist trade, or for sale to WWII-era soldiers. My gut-level guess is that it's pre-WWII, but I suppose it could be younger.

F

VANDOO · 27th February 2006, 03:42 PM

SOLOMON ISLANDS, THE FLANGED TYPE HEAD HAS BEEN SAID TO HAVE COME FROM RENNEL ISLAND. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS TYPE CLUB CAME INTO USE BUT DO HAVE SOME EXAMPLES THAT ARE PRE WW2. THEY ARE STILL BEING MADE AND THE NEWER ONES OFTEN HAVE SHELL INLAY AND NICE WOVEN CORD WITH TRADITIONAL PATTERNS. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN ARE USUALLY SMALL AND WERE EITHER FOR THROWING OR FIGHTING CLOSE IN. THE CARVERS IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS DO GOOD WORK AND SELL QUITE A LOT TO TOURISTS, THEIR FIGURAL BOWLS AND TIKI TYPE HEADS AS WELL AS THE CLUBS ARE NICE.
YOUR EXAMPLE APPEARS TO BE A STAFF OR CANE RATHER THAN A CLUB AND DUE TO THE LACK OF SHELL INLAY,PATINA AND THE USE OF LIME INLAY MAY BE BEFORE WW2, NICE ITEM

mmontoro · 27th February 2006, 04:13 PM

It's about the right size for a cane. Thanks, gentlemen. Would still love to hear from anyone else.

27th February 2006, 03:42 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	SOLOMON ISLANDS, THE FLANGED TYPE HEAD HAS BEEN SAID TO HAVE COME FROM RENNEL ISLAND. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS TYPE CLUB CAME INTO USE BUT DO HAVE SOME EXAMPLES THAT ARE PRE WW2. THEY ARE STILL BEING MADE AND THE NEWER ONES OFTEN HAVE SHELL INLAY AND NICE WOVEN CORD WITH TRADITIONAL PATTERNS. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN ARE USUALLY SMALL AND WERE EITHER FOR THROWING OR FIGHTING CLOSE IN. THE CARVERS IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS DO GOOD WORK AND SELL QUITE A LOT TO TOURISTS, THEIR FIGURAL BOWLS AND TIKI TYPE HEADS AS WELL AS THE CLUBS ARE NICE. YOUR EXAMPLE APPEARS TO BE A STAFF OR CANE RATHER THAN A CLUB AND DUE TO THE LACK OF SHELL INLAY,PATINA AND THE USE OF LIME INLAY MAY BE BEFORE WW2, NICE ITEM Last edited by VANDOO; 27th February 2006 at 03:53 PM.

27th February 2006, 04:13 PM	#4
mmontoro Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 91	Thank you! It's about the right size for a cane. Thanks, gentlemen. Would still love to hear from anyone else.

27th February 2006, 02:58 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	A Polynesian Sheshpar! Or, is it a Hobo Gargaz?

27th February 2006, 05:49 AM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	My guesses are: a) it's Melanesian, and b) it was made by a native craftsman, following native patterns, for a colonial (probably German or British, given the area). Think of this as a cane for a copra plantation master, trader, or something similar. I've read about stuff like this, but never seen an example or a picture I could direct you to. c) alternatively (less probable) it was made for the tourist trade, or for sale to WWII-era soldiers. My gut-level guess is that it's pre-WWII, but I suppose it could be younger. F