Club

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Datemid 19th - early 20th Century

Made AtSolomon Islands

Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia

MediumWood

Dimensions41 1/2 × 3 × 1/2 in. (105.4 × 7.6 × 1.3 cm)

Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection

Object number2015.17.70

DescriptionPrior to the incorporation of metal into weapons, men from the Solomon Islands used wooden clubs as one of their primary armaments. As is the case in many parts of Oceania, there is diversity in the types of clubs used throughout the Solomon Islands. This particular example is known as a kila type club when from Malaita Islands. It is also referred to as a Florida Islands (Nggela) type club. Although these two terms are associated with two specific areas, scholars also attribute these clubs to San Cristobal, Uki Ni Masi and Santa Isabel Islands. These types of clubs are distinct from others in the area due to their long shaft and pointed head. The shafts of clubs such as this were wrapped in plaited fiber that typically featured decorative motifs. It is interesting to note that most examples of such clubs are not as severely pointed or triangular at the head; rather, they are a bit more rounded at the sides of the head.

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