Description:

Oceania, Melanesia, Fiji Islands, ca. mid-20th century CE. A beautiful example of this distinctive double-headed war club known as a "Sali" - named for its resemblance to the clawed flower of the plant of the same name from the banana family. Sometimes referred to as "cali," "tebetebe," or "gunstock clubs," this style of war club is recognizable based on the wide cheeks of the striking head as well as the pronounced spur situated above. Weapons like this have both ceremonial and functional roles, and their forms were cultivated from living trees. The ridges were beaten into the tree while it was still growing to allow the curved shape to arise "naturally" instead of having to be carved later. Lacking a cutting edge, this weapon was likely used in either close combat or in dance performances. Size: 36" L x 10.3" W (91.4 cm x 26.2 cm)

A similar though slightly longer (41 3/8 inches) wooden club hammered 21,250 euros at Christie's Paris on April 10th, 2019 (lot 61, Live Auction 17505, "Art d'Afrique, d'Oceanie et d'Amerique du Nord").

Provenance: private Monroe, Connecticut, USA collection

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#189190

  • Condition: Some minor nicks, scuffs and scratches to surface of wood, but otherwise club is intact and excellent with goo preservation of incised detail.

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September 29, 2024 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000