Club

P5044

From: Marquesas Islands

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

View All (8) Object Images

Object Number P5044
Current Location Collections Storage
Provenience Marquesas Islands
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood
Description

Oval head of usual type; lizard on "ears." Sinnet tube at grip, with human hair.

The best known Marquesan weapon is a long, heavy two-handed club called ‘u’u. Clubs of this type were not only effective in battle, but also served as symbols of status for warriors and chiefs. The carved designs, which are repeated on both faces of the club head, include three projecting tiki faces, the top two of which can also be read as “eyes”. Every ‘u’u has the same general design, but no two are precisely alike.

Length 144.5 cm
Width 16.4 cm
Depth 11.5 cm
Credit Line Museum Purchase, 1926

Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.