Tongan war club - Akau 'Tau - Tonga

19th century Tongan war club Akau 'tau
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Nice old patina, fully carved, from heavy wood, small damage as can be seen on the pictures.
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Provenance: private UK collection
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The "'Akau Tau" is the Tongan phrase for 'War Club'. Used by Tongan To'a (Warriors) . 'Akau means plant but in this case, it means club. Tau is the Tongan word for competition or in this case 'War'. The intricate designs found throughout the 'Akau Tau are added gradually throughout the life of the warrior that carries it. With each battle, a design is added to represent the warrior's life and surroundings.
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Provenance: Private UK collection
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REFERENCES
Hooper,. S. , Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific, Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania & the Americas, 2016.
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