Hand Club

91-24-7

From: New Zealand

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

View All (5) Object Images

Native Name Patu Onewa
Object Number 91-24-7
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Maori
Provenience New Zealand
Period Te Huringa I Period
Date Made 1800 - 1900 CE
Section Oceanian
Materials Graywacke
Description

A patu onewa (stone hand club) made from graywacke (type of sandstone), tear-shaped, with a hole for wrist cord (tau) at the narrow end. Groove around the end above the hole, which is drilled conically from both sides.

A patu onewa 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 32.2 cm
Width 9 cm
Thickness 3.5 cm
Credit Line Gift of Mrs. Charles C. G. Chaplin, 1991

Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.