Hand Club
18106
From: New Zealand | North Island | Hawke's Bay Region | Napier
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Native Name | Wahaika |
| Object Number | 18106 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand | North Island | Hawke's Bay Region | Napier |
| Period | Te Puawaitanga Period |
| Date Made | 1500-1800 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood | Abalone | New Zealand Flax |
| Description | A wooden wahaika (short hand club) with a figure carved along one side. The carved figure has pāua (abalone) eyes. Both sides of the blade are intricately carved. The reke (butt of the weapon) is carved in the shape of a head. The attached wrist cord (tau) is made of plaited harakeke (New Zealand flax). A wahaika is a short-handled thrusting weapon with a distinctive figure carved on one side. Used in close combat, the wahaika can be used to both parry and strike. The wrist cord would be used to prevent being disarmed in battle. |
| Length | 37 cm |
| Width | 11 cm |
| Thickness | 4 cm |
| Credit Line | Gift of William Pepper, 1891 |
| Other Number | 5 - Other Number |
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