A twohanded Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club

Kiakavo is the original name for this type of club, another name for these clubs is the gunstock club, a name most likely made up by the European explorers because it’s resemblance with the European musket rifle’s.

19th century

Materials: Wood (Casuarina equisetifolia)

Status: Sold

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

Description

Fiji, a Malenesian island was explored in 1648 by the Dutch Abel Tasman and later further explored by Captain James Cook in the 18th century, however the local inhabitants lived at Fiji since 3000 B.C. and originated from Polynesian sailors.

This example:

An Antique ”Kiakavo” club from Fiji. The Fijian warriors mostly used the club during their battles with rival tribes and against invading European forces. The Fijians invented a weapon for every kind of stroke and every kind of envoirement. This example could be used for warfare, but many pieces were made for dancing rituals. On the bottom of the handle is a collection inventory number visable that reads: 132 J Y C. The club has a nice overal patina and was most likely made of the species ”Casuarina equisetifolia” and is very dense locally grown tree.

The early weapons were decorated by shell carvings, later on when the explorers arrived they begun to decorate their weapons with iron, such as nails. Many clubs were also decorated with rope strings and sometimes even inlaid with shells.

Condition: Excellent, nice patinated example with some small surficial cracks due to age.

Dimensions:

Length: 90cm
Thickness: 5 to 7cm

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian ''Kiakavo'' club, 19th century

 

A Fijian Chief with several warclubs,on the right a Kiakavo, from a 19th century postcard.

 

Copyright by Peter Andeweg – 2020

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