Tongan Pole Club with an Extensive Inscription Carved by a British Sailor

Period: 1700-1900

Origin: Tonga

Medium: Wood

Literature: It was the simple iron nail which, came into the hands of Tongan craftsmen by trade with Cooks ships in 1773 that brought about a remarkable change in the surface decoration of the traditional clubs. Instead of the partial engraving normally employed, post contact clubs had much more elaborate decoration and were sometimes inlaid. By the end of the 18th century European tools had thus begun to supersede the traditional ones made of stone, bone or shark's teeth.
The history of this club can be partially traced as it came to Britain on board the HMS Seringapatam in 1830. The ship was under the command of Captain William Waldegrave RN who was the Senior Officer in the Pacific from 1830 to 1832. Under his command the ship carried the first stamped letter from Pitcairn Island to Britain. This letter was dated March 17th 1830 and contained the Captain's account of his visit to Pitcairn Island. A commemorative stamp was issued on Pitcairn to mark the event with an illustration of the HMS Seringapatam and the date 1830. This club was taken on board ship on April 29th and accompanied the letter back to Britain.