Hand Club
18113
From: New Zealand | North Island | Gisborne Region | Near Poverty Bay
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Native Name | Kotiate |
| Object Number | 18113 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand | North Island | Gisborne Region | Near Poverty Bay |
| Period | Te Puawaitanga Period |
| Date Made | 1500-1800 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Whale Bone |
| Description | A kotiate (lobed hand club), made of the backbone of a sperm whale. Flat blade with notched/lobed sides. The reke (butt of the weapon) is carved in the shape of a head. Underneath the head is a hole for a wrist cord (tau). A kotiate is a short-handled thrusting weapon made of either bone or wood. Primarily used in close combat, kotiate were also often used by chiefs when giving speeches. According to notes made by the collector C.D. Voy this kotiate was formerly owned by two Māori chiefs near Poverty Bay. |
| Length | 30.5 cm |
| Width | 13.4 cm |
| Credit Line | Gift of William Pepper, 1891 |
| Other Number | 3 - Other Number |
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