Pair of Exceptional Fijian Bowai Pole Clubs

Two early Fijian Bowai pole clubs, 18/19th century, [2], both…
click the photo to enlarge
Two early Fijian Bowai pole clubs, 18/19th century, [2], both of the highest aesthetic quality, both carved from hardwood and extremely straight with exceptional form flaring towards the striking end & also at the grip which is covered in fine & deeply incised tavatava designs. Provenance: Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935), physician and naturalist, was born on 7 June 1869 at Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand, Son of Frederick Arthur Pulleine, later first registrar of the South Australian school of Mines and Industries, and his wife Lucy Jane, nee butt. His childhood was spent in Fiji. The family moved to Adelaide in 1881 and Robert attended the Collegiate school of St Peter before working at the Public library of South Australia in 1885-87, in the neighbouring South Australian Museum he developed his interest in natural science / Todd Barlin collection. L. 103 cm, 107 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Incised - A record of a name, date or inscription, or a decoration scratched into a surface, usually of a glass or ceramic item with a blunt instrument to make a coarse indentation. Compare with engraving where the surface is cut with a sharp instrument such as a metal needle or rotating tool to achieve a fine indentation.
  • School of .... - In the opinion of the cataloguer, a work by a pupil or follower of the artist.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

Three old war clubs, Vanuatu Provenance: George Cann collection (1890s-1965); Cann known as the snake man of La Perouse, entertaining crowds when he worked at La Perouse from 1920 until the 1960s. He was a legendary collector of snakes from areas around Au

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A Fijian pole Bowai club, with decorative geometric design, 88 cm long

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A pug dog head carved wood handled walking cane

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Three Fiji Kiakavo clubs, 19th century, [3], these three fine examples are all made from hardwood and of good form, one has the very unusual butt that is definitely in the shape of a phallus. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 99 cm, 85 cm, 100 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.