Club "u'u" ·  Marquesas Islands · ID: 3051384

Description

iron wood (Casuarina equisetifolia) - called ’toa',

The ornamental decoration on the two-faced ‘u’u’ clubs varies. However, they all have the three mask faces in common on each side, forming the eyes and nose.

These massive heavy clubs were used for both fighting and prestige displays, and in some cases were kept as trophies of victorious encounters. As valuable heirlooms, they were passed down in the family.

Carved by specialists, the clubs were comissioned at a high cost. Once completed, they were finely sanded with sharkskin and placed in the mud of a taro patch for curing and blackening. Afterwards the club was regularly rubbed and polished with scented coconut oil, wich produced a lacquer-like finish.

Comparing literature

Conru, Kevin (ed.), Polynesian Art, Brussels 2023, p. 170 ff. Kaeppler, Adrienne, Polynesia, Honolulu 2010, p. 297, ill. 317 f.

Exhibition

Schwaz, Austria, Haus der Völker: "Südsee - Schätze der dunklen Inseln", 15. Mai 2005 - 18. September 2005