Fijian Gugu Club-Polynesian Weapon-Oceanic Art
Here is an old-style Fijian “Gugu” club named after the butterfly fish. Carved from a dense hardwood the shaft is oval and conspicuously unadorned contrasting with the complex and precisely carved head whose antiquity is confirmed by the worn, almost melted quality of the relief carved design. Fergus Clunie suggests that Gugu clubs were used more for dance and ceremony than battle but the weight and wear suggests a more belligerent intent. This comes from the collection of Seymour Lazar Collection, dates to the early 19th century or before, is 36 1/8” (91.7 cm) in length.