Samoan Talavalu Club-Polynesian Weapon-Oceanic Art
Of all the Samoan clubs I find this type known as talavalu the most elegant. The present example is ancient and large with signs of pre-contact shell or tooth tool marks. It comes from the Harry Franklin Collection of Beverly Hills and has an old inventory number painted in black near the base of the shaft—23(?)-1858. The club dates to the early 19th century or before, is 45 3/8” (115.2 cm) in length.