Solomon Island club

Tim Simmons · 7th December 2015, 06:18 PM

Although on my beam ends I have managed to score this rather nice looking club. Not huge 22 inches approx, which is the size as the two Amazon examples shown. I am only posting one picture but from the rest I believe there is some age to the piece, a very good chance that it is pre- WW2 . Other pictures seem to show some neglect to the wood. I am no wood expert but I have found that if wood has had some age and patina hidden by neglect it can be retrieved unless severely damaged. I will do some follow up when I have it. Interesting that headhunting increased on European contact.

Info link.

http://australianmuseum.net.au/headh...islands-part-2

Headhunting in Roviana area stopped abruptly in the early 20th century as a result of colonial intervention. In 1909 Charles Morris Woodford, Resident Commissioner in New Georgia reported that headhunting had become largely ‘a thing of the past’.

fireiceviper · 7th December 2015, 07:40 PM

hi Tim! You keep finding the good stuff! another nice find!

I'm not so sure about the age though, the inlay looks rather new from the pictures, could you post some close-up pictures ?

Still like it though, there seems to be a lot of Solomon island clubs lately and i believe there is no good reference for them (if anyone knows one please share!)

Tim Simmons · 24th December 2015, 12:01 PM

At last it is here, UK customs can take what seems an age compered to travel time. Here are some daylight pictures. Does not have the patina I had hoped for but none the less it does have some age, certainly not antique in the strictest terms, even for the Solomons. However a handsome piece and very nice in the hand, shown with other clubs in the size range.

Tim Simmons · 24th December 2015, 12:47 PM

Trying to capture the play of light on the shell.

Tim Simmons · 6th April 2016, 12:09 PM

Form variation from AMNH.
https://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology...%2E1%2F%201411

7th December 2015, 06:18 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Solomon Island club Although on my beam ends I have managed to score this rather nice looking club. Not huge 22 inches approx, which is the size as the two Amazon examples shown. I am only posting one picture but from the rest I believe there is some age to the piece, a very good chance that it is pre- WW2 . Other pictures seem to show some neglect to the wood. I am no wood expert but I have found that if wood has had some age and patina hidden by neglect it can be retrieved unless severely damaged. I will do some follow up when I have it. Interesting that headhunting increased on European contact. Info link. http://australianmuseum.net.au/headh...islands-part-2 Headhunting in Roviana area stopped abruptly in the early 20th century as a result of colonial intervention. In 1909 Charles Morris Woodford, Resident Commissioner in New Georgia reported that headhunting had become largely ‘a thing of the past’. Attached Images

24th December 2015, 12:01 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	At last it is here, UK customs can take what seems an age compered to travel time. Here are some daylight pictures. Does not have the patina I had hoped for but none the less it does have some age, certainly not antique in the strictest terms, even for the Solomons. However a handsome piece and very nice in the hand, shown with other clubs in the size range. Attached Images

24th December 2015, 12:47 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Trying to capture the play of light on the shell. Attached Images

6th April 2016, 12:09 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Form variation from AMNH. https://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology...%2E1%2F%201411 Attached Images

7th December 2015, 07:40 PM	#2
fireiceviper Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 87	hi Tim! You keep finding the good stuff! another nice find! I'm not so sure about the age though, the inlay looks rather new from the pictures, could you post some close-up pictures ? Still like it though, there seems to be a lot of Solomon island clubs lately and i believe there is no good reference for them (if anyone knows one please share!)