Hand Club

P2216

From: New Zealand

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

View All (5) Object Images

Native Name Patu Parāoa
Object Number P2216
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Maori
Provenience New Zealand
Period Te Huringa I Period
Date Made 1800 - 1900 CE
Section Oceanian
Materials Whale Bone
Description

A patu parāoa (whale bone hand club) made from whale bone, tear-shaped, with a circular hole for a wrist cord (tau) at the narrow end. Five grooves around the end above the hole.

A patu parāoa is a one-handed weapon with a flat blade and a sharp striking edge. Patu were used in hand-to-hand combat, generally to strike an enemy on the head.

Length 36 cm
Width 9.4 cm
Credit Line Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911
Other Number 15256 - Dealer's Number

Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.