Bidspirit auction | A SAMOAN NIFO OTI AXE

A SAMOAN NIFO OTI AXE - An exceptionally large specimen of a very rare form. The long hardwood haft with copper mounts, intricately bound with plaited rattan, the massive blade wrought with a characteristic hook and struck, JOSEPH BEAL & SONS ENDURE SHEFFIELD with a maker’s mark of a boar’s head. Second half of the 19th century. Light wear. Beals produced blades of this type for the British colonial market. It became the preferred weapon among Samoans in their conflicts with the Tongans during the latter 19th century. Overall length 89.4 cm. Condition III