SAMOAN WAR CLUB

Late 19^th-early 20^th century. 19 ¾” length of characteristic trapezoidal form and thick diamond section. Flared pyrymidal butt. Incised with elongated hound’s tooth bands, floral and geometric motifs. Used, with some smoothed over old splinters and edge nick. Samoa was colonized by Germany, 1900-14 and new Zealand 1914-62. Samoa was earlier, important to whaler who would restock provisions for trade gods. Clubs such as this were used to settle disputes among men as well as in the Samoan Civil wars of the 1880’s and 1890’s.