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Staff with Stone Club, 19th Century
East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
Wood, st…
Club
Staff with Stone Club, 19th Century
East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
Wood, st…
Staff with Stone Club, 19th Century East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia Wood, stone and rattan; 43 3/8 × 4 1/2 × 1 in. 97.121.10 Gift of Edward M. Smith

Club

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs
Date19th Century
Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood, stone and rattan
Dimensions43 3/8 × 4 1/2 × 1 in. (110.2 × 11.4 × 2.5 cm)
Credit LineGift of Edward M. Smith
Object number97.121.10
DescriptionWar clubs and were very common in the islands that made up Melanesia including Vanuatu and New Guinea. Primarily used in combat during tribal conflicts, the use of heavy wood and often stone attached to the end made the clubs highly effective. The war clubs were sometimes used in an agricultural role. And in addition 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.
On View
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