'Akau-tä (club), 18th century

Description

This is a long fighting club created in Tonga in the 18th century. It flares from a round grip to a wider, thicker tip and is completely covered with intricate incised designs, including several miniature figures on the shaft and flattened end (figures are not visible in this image). Most of the carving is extremely fine, although that on the handle area is much coarser. It has a single, raised ridge around the shaft, about one-third of the length from the tip. At the base of the club is a small perforated lug for a cord. It measures 93.0 cm and at its widest is 10.4 cm.

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