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Rootstock club Fiji, 19th century, this heavy large club is a…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
8-May-2016
Lot No.
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Description:
Rootstock club Fiji, 19th century, this heavy large club is a rootstock club called waka. The mace like head of the club is carved from the buttress roots of the uprooted sapling from which the club was made. The handle of the club is carved with zigzag design in relief, known as tavatava. The design has been interpreted as a pictorial representation of seniti binding and is a design borrowed from Fijian body Art. The role of the craftsman in Fijian culture was highly valued and the woodcraftsmen in Fiji formed a distinct group in the community, with their own chiefs and specialists in making various items. Clubs were lovingly crafted and some clubs took years to make. Club carvers 'Matai ni malumu' were highly skilled in selecting the correct type of wood for making the club and experienced enough to experiment with design as the variations in design and ornamentation on Fijian clubs attest. Picture: Fijian Rugby star, Wes Naiqama, holding the club in 2011. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. L. 108 cm
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified