Club with Inlaid Shell (Kila), mid 19th to early 20th Century
Probably Malatia Island, Malaita…

Club (Kila)

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Datemid 19th to early 20th Century

Made AtMalaita Province, Solomon Islands

Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia

MediumWood and shell

Dimensions47 1/2 × 3 × 1 in. (120.7 × 7.6 × 2.5 cm)

Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection

Object number2015.17.12

DescriptionClubs of this shape from the Solomon Islands are known as kila or Florida Islands type clubs. Such clubs are usually unadorned. Examples of adorned clubs are infrequently listed in scholarship or databases. These examples are all attributed to Malaita Island. Adorning objects with shell inlay is a common practice in the Solomon Islands. Many times, items with this type of decoration have a ceremonial purpose and/or function. As such, this club was likely not used for warfare.

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