Lot 29
Oceania, Melanesia, Fiji, ca. 19th century CE. A traditional Fijian gunstock club, skillfully hand-carved from dense hardwood and shaped similarly to a rifle stock - known locally as a cali or tebetebe. This example is distinguished by its thick, deeply grooved incisions across the broad striking face, forming a textured matrix of raised squares. A sharply angled spur projects above the blade, reinforcing the club's silhouette and enhancing its lethal functionality. Used in both ceremonial and combat contexts, such clubs were not only weapons but also emblems of rank and prestige. In some cases, their forms were cultivated from living trees, with the curvature achieved by binding or beating the wood during its growth. This example would have delivered powerful, bone-breaking blows in close-quarters fighting while simultaneously serving as a visual marker of the wielder's authority. The wood surface has developed a lustrous, dark patina through age and prolonged handling, reflecting the object's history of use and reverence. Size: 41.5" L x 8" W (105.4 cm x 20.3 cm)
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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#195954
- Condition: Old losses and chips along the head and spur as shown. Abraded areas are worn smooth with age. Stable pressure fissures in the head and shaft. Lustrous and smooth patina from age and use. Great condition!
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