A Polynesian hardwood Totokia, war club or battle hammer
Fiji, probably 18th century
H. 83 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, France
This particular club has a deep beautiful brown patina and is of eye-pleasing proportions.
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 curve in the Totokia club, used for obvious reasons, is made by carving into a living branch and bending it, closing the gaps, which will grow together again over the years. Weapons carried by the Tusken Raiders of Tatooine in George Lucas' Star Wars were inspired by the Totokia.
We are grateful to our dear friend Mr. Peter van Drumpt for his
assistance with this text.
H. 83 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, France
This particular club has a deep beautiful brown patina and is of eye-pleasing proportions.
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 curve in the Totokia club, used for obvious reasons, is made by carving into a living branch and bending it, closing the gaps, which will grow together again over the years. Weapons carried by the Tusken Raiders of Tatooine in George Lucas' Star Wars were inspired by the Totokia.
We are grateful to our dear friend Mr. Peter van Drumpt for his
assistance with this text.
Related objects
An elegant Maori 'patu parāoa' petrified wood(?) club
A Solomon Islands club
Solomon Islands Club 19th Century
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.