Description:

Oceania, Polynesia, Samoa, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden war club, known locally as a nifo'oti, of an intimidating form bearing lustrous hues of chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch patina. The oblong head features a prominent midrib and a curved projection emanating from the top and inlaid across the head are hundreds of petite triangular panels carved from white limestone. Two pairs of semicircular limestone inlays on either side of the head resemble abstract eyes that seem to peer out at the warrior who wields the club. A protruding hand guard rests above the bulging, diamond-shaped upper handle, and the lower handle gradually expands to form a comfortable profile for grasping. Size: 27.5" L x 4" W (69.8 cm x 10.2 cm)

Cf. The Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), registration number FE003808

Provenance: ex-private Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-private Cleveland, Ohio, USA collection, from the 1970s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168564

  • Condition: Small chips to head, midsection, and handle, with a few stable hairline fissures in scattered areas, and chips and losses to some limestone inlays, otherwise intact and excellent. Wonderful patina throughout.

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January 13, 2022 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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