Zemanek-Münster

Beaked battle hammer "totokia"

Fidji Islands
not available anymore
Provenance
Erwin & Susanne Melchardt, Vienna, Austria
Size
L: 85 cm
L: 33.5 inch

Description

heavy wood, reddish brown patina, age-related defects and cracks

The club head is modelled on the fruit of the pandanut tree.

These very “effective” clubs were used for close combat in the underbrush, to kill the wounded or for executions. Some chiefs valued these clubs so highly that they were buried with them in order to be properly equipped for their journeys in the afterworld.


Comparing literature

Kaeppler, Adrienne, Polynesia, Honolulu 2010, p. 236, ill. 104

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