Pacific Fijian Spurred War Club ‘Vivia Gata’ with Rippled Wood Blade
A Heavy Pacific Fijian Spurred War Club ‘Vivia Gata’ with Rippled Wood Blade
Fine old smooth silky patina
Early 19th Century
Size: 107cm long - 42 ins long
Fine old smooth silky patina
Early 19th Century
Size: 107cm long - 42 ins long
A Heavy Pacific Fijian Spurred War Club ‘Vivia Gata’ with Rippled Wood Blade
Fine old smooth silky patina
Early 19th Century
Size: 107cm long - 42 ins long
Fine old smooth silky patina
Early 19th Century
Size: 107cm long - 42 ins long
Fijian clubs of this shape and type are often wrongly called ‘gun stock clubs’ because of their resemblance to muskets, but all of the basic forms were in use before firearms were first introduced to Fiji in the early 19th century, examples having been taken back to Europe and others recorded by early explorers. The great diversity and decoration of clubs produced in 18th and 19th century Fiji reflected an immense investment of artistic labour appropriate to their cultural significance. Despite the arrival of firearms in the 19th century, clubs continued to be produced and used in traditional welfare. Their enduring popularity among Fijian warriors highlights their symbolic as well as practical value.
Ex collection Charles Albert Madge (1874 - 1916)
Thence by descent
Thence by descent
Pacific Fijian Spurred War Club ‘Vivia Gata’ with Rippled Wood Blade
SOLD
