Early 19th century
Length 31"
Provenance: Provincial English Auction House
This is a totokia, a type of weapon made in Fiji during the 1800s, and often associated with chiefs and warriors of reputation. Some totokia were named and had the histories of many battles associated with them. They are intimidating in appearance but also beautifully made objects.
Fiji material culture scholar Fergus Clunie describes the totokia as a beaked battlehammer. They are very top heavy. The weight of the head of the club was concentrated in the point of the beak of the weapon or kedi-toki "toki" to peck; i toki: a bird’s beak" (1977:55).
Clunie says "…the totokia was intended to "peck" holes in skulls." It "…delivered a deadly blow in an abrupt but vicious stab, not requiring the wide swinging arc demanded by the others" (1986:185). It was a club that could be used in open warfare or to finish-off or execute warriors on the battlefield.
Totokia are usually carved from a beautiful dark dense wood such as this fine example. The large bulb like head inspired European collectors to often refer to totokia as pineapple clubs, but other commentators link the appearance of the business end of the club to that of the pandanus fruit. A impressive and heavy example.
Early 19th century
Length 31"
Provenance: Provincial English Auction House
This is a totokia, a type of weapon made in Fiji during the 1800s, and often associated with chiefs and warriors of reputation. Some totokia were named and had the histories of many battles associated with them. They are intimidating in appearance but also beautifully made objects.
Fiji material culture scholar Fergus Clunie describes the totokia as a beaked battlehammer. They are very top heavy. The weight of the head of the club was concentrated in the point of the beak of the weapon or kedi-toki "toki" to peck; i toki: a bird’s beak" (1977:55).
Clunie says "…the totokia was intended to "peck" holes in skulls." It "…delivered a deadly blow in an abrupt but vicious stab, not requiring the wide swinging arc demanded by the others" (1986:185). It was a club that could be used in open warfare or to finish-off or execute warriors on the battlefield.
Totokia are usually carved from a beautiful dark dense wood such as this fine example. The large bulb like head inspired European collectors to often refer to totokia as pineapple clubs, but other commentators link the appearance of the business end of the club to that of the pandanus fruit. A impressive and heavy example.
