Rare New Zealand Maori Carved Wood Two Handed Club 'Tewhatewha'
A Rare New Zealand Maori Carved Wood Two Handed Club 'Tewhatewha'
The top edge notched to act as a reminder of war triumphs. Two old holes for feather attachments. A sliver of old damage to the blade edge. A Maori continuous rolling spiral carved to the top of the shaft and a stylised ‘Tiki’ carved towards the pointed shaft's end
Fine old smooth and lustrous patina
Early 19th century
Size: 155cm long – 61 ins long
The top edge notched to act as a reminder of war triumphs. Two old holes for feather attachments. A sliver of old damage to the blade edge. A Maori continuous rolling spiral carved to the top of the shaft and a stylised ‘Tiki’ carved towards the pointed shaft's end
Fine old smooth and lustrous patina
Early 19th century
Size: 155cm long – 61 ins long
This type of Maori long hand weapon is a two handed club with an expanded end at the blade and was used as a signaling device by the commander of an army. The expanded surface making it clearly visible from afar. Feathers were once attached on the lower side of the axe-shaped head and the feathers could be made to quiver in the wind. The club was swung like a quarterstaff with the striking part being the straight edge behind the flat surface. The Maori 'Tewhatewha' is not therefore an axe; the blade extension existed to provide extra weight and balance at the end of the weapon.
Rare New Zealand Maori Carved Wood Two Handed Club 'Tewhatewha'
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