19th C. Santa Cruz Islands Ceremonial Napa Club

**Originally Listed At $1800**

Oceania, Melanesia, Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, Nendo (also Ndende) or Utupua Island, 19th century CE. A hand-carved wooden ceremonial club known as a Napa that was used for symbolically significant performances. The elongated club exhibits a smooth, tapered handle that gradually widens into a canoe-shaped upper body, and the upper tip tapers to a gentle point. Intricate motifs in triangular, linear, and abstract forms are formed via applied black, white, and red ochre pigment indicative of ritual importance or personal status, and bound tufts of coarse raffia fibers create wispy tassels on either side. Napa clubs like this example - along with the corresponding songs - were believed to have been given to the Utupua people by a mythical deity named Bamuda and represent the majesty of frigate birds in flight. Wonderful patina envelops the entire club. Size: 39.3" L x 3.25" W (99.8 cm x 8.3 cm); 22.75" H (57.8 cm) on included custom stand.

For a stylistically similar example, please see The Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), registration number FE003169/1

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Tad Dale collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired between 1960 and 2000

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#154550
Condition Report: Repair to area of upper tip, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to handle, body, and head, with light fraying to some bound raffia fibers, fading to original pigmentation, and several stable fissures. Light earthen deposits, nice remains of original pigment, and great patina throughout.