Tongan Ceremonial Paddle Shaped Club

A Rare Tongan Ceremonial Paddle Shaped Club
The butt end inlaid with sperm whale ivory. Remains of an old collection label
Old smooth and worn patina
Early 19th Century
Size: 56cm long – 22 ins long
Many of the fine clubs made on Tonga were kept for dancing and ceremonial purposes. These were often made as scaled down replicas of fighting clubs and were sometimes made of light softwoods stained dark to resemble the heavy hardwoods. These were also as carefully crafted and as beautifully finished, as the best fighting clubs for it was believed that the quality of a man’s weapon became the symbol of his rank.

Tongan Ceremonial Paddle Shaped Club

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk

ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk