Three Polynesian hardwood Ula tavatava or throwing war clubs
each with a bulbous end at the top and a deep dark warm brown patina of usage and age.
Provenance:
Private collection, The Hague
Polynesian culture is traditionally a culture of power and prestige, and there was a fine line between battle and ceremony. Warrior people par excellence, the Fijians had at their disposal a large panoply of weapons, each for a specific use.
The Ula throwing clubs come in many different shapes and sizes and were worn on the belt by warriors. The clubs in we present all have a beautiful deep patina and markings that attest to their great age.
Part of the Oceania collection.
Related objects
A Polynesian hardwood Totokia, war club or battle hammer
Fiji, probably 18th century
A Polynesian ironwood 'Gata waka' or war club
This particular club has a deep beautiful almost black patina and is of eye-pleasing proportions. One damage to the lip and one (original and old) restoration.
A Polynesian hardwood Ula tavatava or throwing war club
Fiji Throwing Clubs | Ula Tavatava Polynesian culture is traditionally a culture of power and prestige, and there was a fine line between battle and ceremony. Warrior people par excellence, the Fijians had at their disposal a large panoply of weapons, each for a specific use. The Ula throwing clubs come in many different shapes and sizes and were worn on the belt by warriors. The clubs in we present all have a beautiful deep patina and markings that attest to their great age. We are grateful to our dear friend Mr. Peter van Drumpt for his assistance writing the texts.