Rare Tongan Carved Wood Spear-Club

Description:

Rare Tongan Carved Wood Spear-Club, c. second half 18th century, carved from dense ironwood and intricately carved overall with geometric designs and with over twenty-five glyphs representing birds, turtle, fish, and human figures, dark glossy patina, lg. just under 8 ft.

Provenance: Collected by Captain William Trotter (1769-1822) in 1796, "when his ship, the 'Susan', stopped in the Friendly Islands for provisions and the king presented Trotter with 'curiosities'." Trotter was born in England and emigrated to Providence, Rhode Island, at the age of 19, having first been apprenticed as a cabin boy at the age of 9. After a lucrative globe-spanning career at sea, Trotter retired to Attleboro, Massachusetts, later settling in Bradford, Vermont.

Literature: Eighteenth Century Global Trade, The Logs of Captain William Trotter, Maryanne Tefft Force, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2012.
Estimate $15,000-20,000


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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