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War Club, early 20th Century
New Guinea, Melanesia
Wood, stone, feather, wicker and fiber; 36…
Club
War Club, early 20th Century
New Guinea, Melanesia
Wood, stone, feather, wicker and fiber; 36…
War Club, early 20th Century New Guinea, Melanesia Wood, stone, feather, wicker and fiber; 36 3/4 × 8 × 3 1/2 in. 91.23.1 Bowers Museum Purchase

Club

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs
Dateearly 20th Century
Made At
MediumWood, stone, feather, wicker and fiber
Dimensions36 3/4 × 8 × 3 1/2 in. (93.3 × 20.3 × 8.9 cm)
Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase
Object number91.23.1
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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