Description:

Oceania / Polynesia / Melanesia, Solomon Islands, ca. 19th century CE. In beautiful condition, this is a hand-carved, dark wooden staff with a long, cylindrical form leading upward to a slightly wider, openwork upper section capped by a rounded ball. The openwork section has inlaid shell - perhaps abalone - with a creamy irisdescent color in x-shaped and triangular patterns forming a border around it and separating its open sections. This type of staff is known as a Wari Hau. Size: 1.8" W x 34" H (4.6 cm x 86.4 cm); 34.4" H (87.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Solomon Islanders, who live in a long archipelago from New Britain to Vanuatu, are known for their skill with inlaying shell into their gorgeous decorative arts. Wari hau were made for men who had been initiated into the society; they wore them hanging on their back during ceremonies.

See a similar item at the Metropolitan Museum (1999.47.48).

Provenance: private Illinois, USA collection

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#125841

  • Condition: Very light surface scratching/chips from age and handling. Dark, smooth patina from same. Very nice condition but clearly aged.

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May 24, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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