Tongan Club-Akau Tau-Polynesian Weapon-Oceanic Art
It is hard not to appreciate the craftsmanship, artistic quality and lethal intent of such stout war clubs from Tonga. This one is a classic Akau tau from the William Oldman Collection (24886) and from the Fortess Family Collection, Bonhams London, 23 June 1992, lot 174. The club has a deeply carved all-over design worn smooth with age, dark brown glossy patina, dates to the mid 19th century or before, is 43” (109.2 cm) in length.