Hand Club

P2314

From: New Zealand

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Native Name Wahaika
Object Number P2314
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Maori
Provenience New Zealand
Period Te Puawaitanga Period
Date Made 1500-1800 CE
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood
Description

Wooden wahaika (short-hand club) with a figure carved along one side. The wheku (carved face that depicts an ancestor) figure has their three-fingered hands placed along the sides of their stomach. The reke (butt of the weapon) is carved in the shape of a head. Underneath the head is a rectangular hole from which a wrist cord (tau) would have been attached. The club has been polished.

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 slit along the edge of the club would have been to snag and dislodge an opponent's weapon in battle.

Length 38 cm
Width 14 cm
Credit Line Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911
Other Number 20696 - Dealer's Number

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