**Originally Listed At $1500**

Oceania, New Zealand, Maori, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. An outstanding wooden weapon known as a "tewhatewha" a club with an axe shaped head that was used for fighting and as a staff for directing warriors in battle. This example is carved from a single piece of wood of a lightweight, ideal for quick movement and thrusting, using the thick spine edge to whack the opponent in sparring matches. The face is etched with swirling patterns and inlaid with nacre shells, feathers might also be attached. The feathers were thought to help distract oppoent by flicking them in the face, and the reflective shells and feathers increased visibility when used to signal. Compared to other tewhatewhas in museum collections with shafts 1 to 2 meters in length that come to a tapered point - the length of the handle and cut crossection indicate this club shaft was cut for an unknown reason. Size: 36.25" L x 6" W (92.1 cm x 15.2 cm)

Provenance: Private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired from Morning Star Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#177415

Repairs to blade face, wood infill added to cavities and resin added to gouged area. Missing most nacre inlays, and remains of 3 nacre shells. Handle is likely cut with a clean cross section on the tip. Nicks and abrasions. Nice patina.