An important piece of Maori history has been consigned to the saleroom, after being discovered in an attic!
The owners of this New Zealand club found it after they had moved into their home. Wrapped in unassuming brown paper, the owners drew the links to it possibly being brought back from New Zealand by the previous owner’s son in the military, sometime in the 20th century.
One of the longest examples of these clubs seen at auction, the wooden axe shaped head and tapering shaft measures a whopping 183cm (6 feet).
These clubs, called Tewhatewha, were used for military and ceremonial purposes, and remains an important symbol of Maori cultural identity and heritage today. Designed to be held in two-hands, it is one of the Maori people’s three two-handed weapons, the others being the Hani and Pouwhuenua.
This example, dating to the late 19th/early 20th century, features mother of pearl decoration in the central carved bulb, and a pierced hole at the base of the blade, which would have held feathers.
As lot 114 in Plymouth Auction Rooms Antiques and Collectables Auction on the 18th February, the magnificent weapon will go under the gavel, with a estimate of £400-600.
