Vintage Antique Maori Tewhatewha War Club, 19TH/20th C Lovely Patina
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4084 | Product: Clubs |
| Color: Reddish brown | Material: Wood |
| Maker: Unknown | Original/Reproduction: Original |
Vintage antique Maori Tewhatewha carved club, 19TH/20th C lovely patina, great condition for it's age.
Measuring 105.5cm length, 12cm width at top by carved facial features, 6cm below, 4cm above first carving on staff, carving measures 5-6cm lengthways, 3.6cm width, gap between to lower carving is 27-28cm, lower carving is 4cm length, 3.5cm width. The bottom section is carved to a taper and measures from below carving just under 3cm and the bottom is 1.6cm, length fr...om lower carving to end is 35cm, there is a small drilled hole 19.5cm from the bottom. The carving of the features of the mouth are different on opposite sides. The lower carving features paua (abalone) on both sides inset. Depth is 2cm up to lower section of 1.6cm. Weight is approximately 325 grams. It appears to have been stained. In overall great condition, a small nick on the mouth of one side, there is no splitting in the wood, all carved from one piece. Please see photo's and happy to answer any questions.
Please note postage price quoted is within the UK, I am happy to post overseas but will need to quote outside of UK because of the unusual shape.
A Tewhatewha is a long-handled Māori club weapon shaped like an axe. Designed to be held in two hands, the weapon comes to a mata (point) at one end and a rapa (broad, quarter-round head) at the other.
Like pouwhenua and taiaha, this long club was designed for sparring and lightning strokes and thrusts, aided by quick footwork on the part of the wielder. The blows were not struck with the blade as one would with an axe, but rather with the thicker straight front edge. It was common for tewhatewha to be decorated with a bunch of split pigeon or hawk feathers which hang from a drilled hole near the lower edge of the extension. This decoration may have also had the added benefit of distracting or confusing the wielder's opponent.
Measuring 105.5cm length, 12cm width at top by carved facial features, 6cm below, 4cm above first carving on staff, carving measures 5-6cm lengthways, 3.6cm width, gap between to lower carving is 27-28cm, lower carving is 4cm length, 3.5cm width. The bottom section is carved to a taper and measures from below carving just under 3cm and the bottom is 1.6cm, length fr...om lower carving to end is 35cm, there is a small drilled hole 19.5cm from the bottom. The carving of the features of the mouth are different on opposite sides. The lower carving features paua (abalone) on both sides inset. Depth is 2cm up to lower section of 1.6cm. Weight is approximately 325 grams. It appears to have been stained. In overall great condition, a small nick on the mouth of one side, there is no splitting in the wood, all carved from one piece. Please see photo's and happy to answer any questions.
Please note postage price quoted is within the UK, I am happy to post overseas but will need to quote outside of UK because of the unusual shape.
A Tewhatewha is a long-handled Māori club weapon shaped like an axe. Designed to be held in two hands, the weapon comes to a mata (point) at one end and a rapa (broad, quarter-round head) at the other.
Like pouwhenua and taiaha, this long club was designed for sparring and lightning strokes and thrusts, aided by quick footwork on the part of the wielder. The blows were not struck with the blade as one would with an axe, but rather with the thicker straight front edge. It was common for tewhatewha to be decorated with a bunch of split pigeon or hawk feathers which hang from a drilled hole near the lower edge of the extension. This decoration may have also had the added benefit of distracting or confusing the wielder's opponent.
