Club - New Caledonia
09
days
01
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€ 1
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Selected by Surya Rutten
Has over 25 years' experience in Asian art and owned an art gallery.
Estimate € 700 - € 800
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Kanak skull-cracker club, a mushroom-headed war mace from New Caledonia, carved in dense wood with a 78 cm shaft, dating to 1850–1900, in reasonable condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Wood, flying-fox fur, braided plant fibers, fabrics
78 cm
Provenance
Private collection, France
Literature
Kanak Skull-Cracker and Clubs; Roger Boulay
This Kanak skull-cracker, or mushroom-headed club, is one of the emblematic weapons of New Caledonia. Carved in dense wood and carefully polished, it features a long slender shaft ending in a massive, mushroom-shaped head (phallic), whose prominent rim was intended to concentrate the impact force. If this weapon was used in inter-clan clashes, it also carried a strong symbolic dimension, embodying the prestige, rank, and bravery of its owner. Chiefs and high-status warriors readily made it an attribute of power, worn during ceremonies or diplomatic meetings as much as on the battlefield.
Seller's Story
After several impactful journeys, a tribal art enthusiast decided to share his fascination for often-overlooked works by launching an online gallery. This project aims to showcase objects from diverse origins, providing a platform to discover creations that are as rich as they are varied. The gallery offers a carefully curated selection of works ranging from masks to sculptures, and from ritual objects to everyday items. Each piece tells a story, embodying the culture and traditions of the artists, while allowing art lovers to explore the work of deserving talents from the other side of the world. More than just an art sales platform, the project fosters cultural awareness and exchange, inviting visitors to appreciate the beauty and depth of tribal art.
Based in Montauban (France); visits by appointment.
Translated by Google TranslateWood, flying-fox fur, braided plant fibers, fabrics
78 cm
Provenance
Private collection, France
Literature
Kanak Skull-Cracker and Clubs; Roger Boulay
This Kanak skull-cracker, or mushroom-headed club, is one of the emblematic weapons of New Caledonia. Carved in dense wood and carefully polished, it features a long slender shaft ending in a massive, mushroom-shaped head (phallic), whose prominent rim was intended to concentrate the impact force. If this weapon was used in inter-clan clashes, it also carried a strong symbolic dimension, embodying the prestige, rank, and bravery of its owner. Chiefs and high-status warriors readily made it an attribute of power, worn during ceremonies or diplomatic meetings as much as on the battlefield.
Seller's Story
After several impactful journeys, a tribal art enthusiast decided to share his fascination for often-overlooked works by launching an online gallery. This project aims to showcase objects from diverse origins, providing a platform to discover creations that are as rich as they are varied. The gallery offers a carefully curated selection of works ranging from masks to sculptures, and from ritual objects to everyday items. Each piece tells a story, embodying the culture and traditions of the artists, while allowing art lovers to explore the work of deserving talents from the other side of the world. More than just an art sales platform, the project fosters cultural awareness and exchange, inviting visitors to appreciate the beauty and depth of tribal art.
Based in Montauban (France); visits by appointment.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1400-1900
Country of origin
New Caledonia
Material
Wood
Condition
Fair
Height
78 cm
Estimated period
1850-1900
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