Club, 20th Century
Unrecorded artist, possibly Tolai culture; East New Britain Province, Papua…

Images(2)

Club

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Culturepossibly Tolai

Date20th Century

Made AtEast New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood and Parinarium nut paste

Dimensions44 3/4 × 2 × 1 3/4 in. (113.7 × 5.1 × 4.4 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2021.7.77

DescriptionThis object is a club from the island of New Britain, the largest island in Papua New Guinea's Bismarck Archipelago. It was possibly made by the Tolai people residing primarily on the island's Gazelle Peninsula. Originally, a rounded stone club head was adhered to the handle near the top, probably with Parinarium nut paste, the residue of which is still visible when examined closely. Unfortunately, the stone club head is now missing.

War clubs were very common in the islands that make up Melanesia, including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Guinea. Primarily wielded in tribal conflicts, clubs made of heavy wood and occasionally fitted with stone heads were highly effective bludgeoning tools. War clubs had other uses too. They could be employed in agriculture and symbolic war clubs were often created for the sole purpose of being placed beside a deceased warrior as they prepared for the journey into the afterworld.

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