Bidspirit auction | 17th/18th c. Tongan Apa'apai Club

17th/18th c. Tongan Apa'apai Club - 17th to 18th century Tongan Apa'apai wood club with older breadfruit gum repairs. The lack of surface decoration might suggest that it dates to a period before European contact. James Cook's trade in iron tools with Tongans in 1773 encouraged the development of more elaborate carvings which are evident on clubs collected on his third voyage. Likely carved with stone tools. Keywords: Polynesian, South Pacific, Oceanic Height: 41 1/4 in x width: 3 1/4 in. Condition: There is wear, scratches, and losses throughout. There are signs of wormholes.