The John Bannister Collection - D-Day and Militaria
Lot 2119:
Description
19th/20th Century New Caledonia, Pacific “Kanak” war club. Taking the shape of a phallus, and cut from a hardwood type of iron wood. Like all war clubs from the Pacific, they were also made in the form of a birds beak, or fungi. The striking head consists of a root knot and this weapon could have been decorated with plants, human hair, or woven sennit. Carved with fine decoration just below the ridge at the head. Chips are present at the edges of the striking head. A club like this would have been wielded with one or two hands. The best known New Caledonian war club is shaped like a male phallus. The symbolism of being beaten to death by a phallic club added a level of humiliation to the victim. Dimensions: 27” long. Handle diameter 1.26”. Please see photos.
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