Description:

Oceania, Melanesia, New Caledonia, Kanak people, ca. 19th to mid-20th century CE. A hand carved wooden club known as a "porowa ra maru," translating to "bird head," formed from a thick staff with a naturally curved finial crook, perfectly suited to form the bird's head. The lower end of the shaft is covered with a tightly woven bark-cloth and wrapped with sennit fiber cords. The upper head is polished with the natural downward curve accentuated by carved knobbed eyes, and the tip is sharpened like a beak - the overall form of the bird is charmingly abstract. These clubs were valuable items that symbolized wealth and high rank, and they were sometimes given as ceremonial gifts or as trade items. Size: 29" L x 11.75" W (73.7 cm x 29.8 cm); 30" H (76.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 1995 to 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168529

  • Condition: Stable pressure fissures on head and shaft. Chips and losses to shaft tip but does not affect overall presentation of club. Abrasions and chips to high pointed areas and minor fraying to sennit fibers, but bark cloth and cords are secure. Great patina throughout.

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May 12, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000