Tongan / Samoan coconut stalk club 18th C Published Start Price USD 1.00 Current Price USD 1,952.00 Time Left - Bid Count 22 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 30, 2008 End Time Tuesday, September 09, 2008 Location Great Lakes USA See more about 'Tongan / Samoan coconut stalk club 18th C' Description A Tongan / Samoan club, called apa’apai, in Tonga or lapalapa in Samoa, and coconut stalk clubs by Western authors .    This is a superb example of Western Polynesian trade and cross cultural influences.  These trade routes were controlled for centuries by the Tongan navigators, who were a chiefly class.  This club embodies the classic lug shape of Samoa, the leaf stalk shape indicative of Tongan and Samoan work, and Tongan surface carving as evidenced by the complex geometric carving.    Carved of ironwood (Casuarina) , this piece boasts a rarely seen carved top section and an un-carved lower handle (perhaps unfinished) section which allows  the beauty of this wood to come through.  Very nice wear and age,  with a very natural and soft patina.  Superb lines and presence. At  28” (71 cm) tall, it comes with a custom base which allows for easy removal; a nice feature enabling the winning bidder to easily hold and examine this 18th C. club.  Lug is deficient.  Reserve set well below “dealer price” for a comparable or even inferior piece, certainly less than an auction house.  Published, Archipels, Fidji – Tongan – Samoa, page 121, Carlier. I am always interested in acquiring Tongan and Fijian clubs and will buy or trade for similar. Place a Bid!