New Zealand Maori Whalebone Short Stabbing Hand Club ‘Patu Paraoa’

A New Zealand Maori Whalebone Short Stabbing Hand Club ‘Patu Paraoa’
Of simple elegant form with ridges carved across the butt a hole for wrist cord
Fine colour and patina
18th – Early 19th Century
SIZE: 37.5cm long, 10.5cm wide (max) – 14¾ ins long, 4 ins wide (max)
SEE: Finch & Co catalogue no. 20, item no. 71, for another Maori whalebone stabbing club
War to the Maori was regarded as a recreation, a form of sport carried out under firmly established rules using a range of weapons. Maori warriors consequently spent a considerable portion of their time grooming and training for battle. Their chosen weapons required a very high degree of physical fitness and were only effective when used with great dexterity.
Made from the spatulate section of a whale’s jaw, the blade is known as the ‘rau’ which gave rise to the Maori term for conquest ‘raupatu’ presumably as so many successful battles were fought with this type of blade. Used as a striking weapon the distal end of the club was thrust straight from the shoulder delivering a blow to the enemy’s temple, or if their hair could be grasped, the patu could be driven up under the jaw or ribs.

New Zealand Maori Whalebone Short Stabbing Hand Club ‘Patu Paraoa’

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ENQUIRIES

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

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk