An Unusual ‘Kanak’ Hardwood War Club

Epoque: 19th century

Medium: Wood

Dimension: 63 cm (24³/₄ inches)

Provenance: Ex Private collection, Reading, Berkshire, England
Ex English Art Market
Ex Private collection

Literature: During the 19th century the Islanders of the New Hebrides suffered extreme abuse at the hands of whalers and other traders and they became known for their hostility. Their most famous victim was the Reverend John Williams, a Welsh Methodist missionary, ‘The Martyr of Erromanga’ who was killed in 1839, and ever after commemorated in a ‘Baxter’ print.
     Despite this, although inter-tribal warfare was frequent on the Islands it took the form of ambushes and local skirmishes and there were few fatalities. A carved wood club such as this was the most favoured weapon.