Throwing club, ula
Fiji
Wood
19th century
17 inches high by 4 inches in diameter (43 by 10 cm)
Ex private collection, Oakland, CA

A heavy throwing club made of dense hardwood with the handle finely carved with geometric motifs and an unexpected detail on the ball head - see photo below. Here, in addition to the natural fissures of the burl, an additional straight line has been carved in an evocative position; being on the business end of a lethal club, it is not a smiley face. The patina overall is smooth and glossy from years of handling.
#5228

$1500