Ula or I Ula Tavatava Throwing Club

Fiji, Polynesia
Probably early voyager period, circa 1830
15.5 x 4 in (40 x 10 cm)
Hardwood
Price Upon Request

Ex Private San Francisco Collection

Made from the sacred Vesi wood, with a root ball at one end and fine geometric patterns at the other, quite possibly carved with a rat’s tooth. Fijian warriors were expert marksmen, with their throwing clubs, ula, capable of striking the back of the head of a running enemy at a long distance, causing him to collapse. There is an old crack in the handle area.