Māori Tewhatewha Club-Polynesian Weapon-Oceanic Tribal Art
Māori tewhatewha were both weapons used in combat and a prerogative of chiefs for signally during battle and held during speeches. This is an excellent ancient example with a nice curve to the upper edge of the blade, the straight backside of the blade is the actual striking edge and here it is sharp, and battle scarred. But what set’s this tewhatewha apart of almost all the others is the great carved section down the shaft of stylized Janus faces. Of course, the underside of the blade has an old hole where small bunches of hawk feathers would have been attached. This tewhatewha is early 19th century, stands 44” (111.8 cm) in height.