A fine and rare paddle club, Uvea Island, late 19th/ early 20th century
tui, Wood
length, 124.5 cm (49 in)
€8,000
Further images
Most likely stone carved with incised linear and geometric designs; fine reddish-brown patina.
Most likely stone carved with incised linear and geometric designs; fine reddish-brown patina.
Provenance
Private Collection, Hawaii
Literature
According to Edwin C. Burrows (Bishop Museum Bulletin 138 – Ethnology of Futuna, 1936: page 122), “The large billet clubs called tui, which were brought to me turned out to be a paddle club (kailao). Tui Angaifo said, Le tui ko le kailao, ke le nea faka-Uvea (the tui is the kailao, its an Uvean thing). The Kailao, seems to be primarily a weapon; it is used in Futuna for dancing, though I was told that it can be used in war. The Futuans do not regard it as characteristic of their island.”