A New Caledonian Melanesian Carved Hardwood ‘Penis’ War Club ‘Buat’
A New Caledonian Melanesian Carved Hardwood ‘Penis’ War Club ‘Buat’
With notched engraving to the mushroom shaped head and plaited coir sinnet bound around the shaft. Natural highly polished patina
Early 19th Century
Size: 82cm long – 32¼ ins long
see also catalogue no. 127
With notched engraving to the mushroom shaped head and plaited coir sinnet bound around the shaft. Natural highly polished patina
Early 19th Century
Size: 82cm long – 32¼ ins long
see also catalogue no. 127
New Caledonia is almost completely encircled by barrier reefs, and the flora and fauna of the island is so rich in unique species it indicates a prolonged period of the islands total isolation since remote geological time. The fruit bat or flying fox was the only resident mammal before the arrival of man.
Discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774 when he sailed down the east coast, and then annexed by the French in 1853 who used the Island as a penal colony, New Caledonia’s traditional indigenous culture has by now been so eradicated that little is known of the function or significance of the objects left in European collections.
Discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774 when he sailed down the east coast, and then annexed by the French in 1853 who used the Island as a penal colony, New Caledonia’s traditional indigenous culture has by now been so eradicated that little is known of the function or significance of the objects left in European collections.
A New Caledonian Melanesian Carved Hardwood ‘Penis’ War Club ‘Buat’
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