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LOT 2767
Oceanic Wooden Vanuatu Fighting Axe
MELENSIA, EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY A.D.
36 7/8 in. (957 grams, 93.7 cm).
Comprising a polished shaft with a disc and pointed terminal, the iron trade blade stamped with a B, a 2, and a six-pointed star.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of Mr Carlos Bahamonde, Manchester, UK.
LiteratureCf. Carreau, L., Collections from the Solomon Islands, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, 2016, p.22, for a very similar Melanesian axe with a metal blade.
FootnotesVanuatu is an archipelagic country in Melanesia located in the South Pacific Ocean.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2767
Oceanic Wooden Vanuatu Fighting Axe
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£100 (EUR 116; USD 135) +BP*
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Oceanic Wooden Maori Walking Stick Tokotoko
New Zealand, early 20th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Carved with a seated tiki and two kneeling tiki figures, with inset abalone shell eyes and bands of linear and notch carving, the pear-shaped handle with a metal plaque inscribed: 'J.L. LD. N.Z. 1903'. 545 grams, 93.8 cm
From the collection of Mr Carlos Bahamonde, Manchester, UK.
A tokotoko is a traditional Māori carved ceremonial walking stick, and a symbol of authority and status for the speaker holding it. The tokotoko were beautifully carved. The most elaborate, like this one, shows a well-nourished, naked Paikea-type male figure lying flat, with his legs in the air to form a handle. The sticks have two distinctive female faces further down, one with a moko on the lips and the other with a moko kauae. All faces have pāua-shell eyes. The body of the tokotoko is intricately carved with a three-dimensional curved shape. It is less than a metre in length, pointing to its use as a ‘talking stick’ rather than an aid to walking. -
Oceanic Wooden Samoan War Club
Tonga, Polynesia, early-mid 20th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Paddle-shaped in plan with ellipsoid-section shaft and pierced tab finial; flared pelta-shaped head with restrained chip-carved geometric ornament; with incised legends to one face: 'LALAIFOOPOO / MATAPVA' with some letters inverted. 605 grams, 58 cm
From the collection of Mr Carlos Bahamonde, Manchester, UK. -
African White Heart Trade Beads
19th century A.D.Estimate: £20 - 30 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Composed of polychrome glass beads, mainly of oblate type, in blue, white, red, green and other colours. 18.9 grams, 92 cm
From a specialised collection of trade items and money formed in the 1970s.
