Club (U'U)
Place made:French Polynesia
General region:Oceania
Culture: Marquesan
Date: late- 18th-early- 19th century
Medium: Toa wood
Dimensions:
h. 56 in. (142.2 cm); w. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Bowie Duncan
Object number: 60.55
Label Text
The 'u'u war club was the exclusive property of the warrior caste. The clubs were huge in comparison to those of the rest of the Pacific Islands. Each was reputedly individually tailored to reach from the ground to the owner's armpit. The remarkably carved decoration of each "u'u" is unique, comprising variations on the classic motifs of the human face, sacred lizards and tattoos. The clubs were left to soak in a taro field where they acquired a deep black coloration, which was later heightened by rubbing with coconut oil. (Gallery label)
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
