Bird Head Club
The distinctively shaped porowa ra maru, or "bird head," clubs of New Caledonia were prestigious objects created for use by chiefs. The clubs symbolized wealth and high rank, and on some occasions served as gifts during ceremonial exchanges.
The heads of the clubs are carved in the form of stylized bird heads typically distinguished, as here, by long, pointed beaks. However, as none of New Caledonia's indigenous birds has a similar beak, some scholars have suggested that the image instead represents the head of a sea turtle with its projecting, beaklike mouth. The thin, delicate tips of the beaks are extremely fragile and would have broken easily if the clubs were used in combat. Hence, it seems probable that they were primarily ceremonial objects.
The heads of the clubs are carved in the form of stylized bird heads typically distinguished, as here, by long, pointed beaks. However, as none of New Caledonia's indigenous birds has a similar beak, some scholars have suggested that the image instead represents the head of a sea turtle with its projecting, beaklike mouth. The thin, delicate tips of the beaks are extremely fragile and would have broken easily if the clubs were used in combat. Hence, it seems probable that they were primarily ceremonial objects.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bird Head Club
- Date: 19th century
- Geography: New Caledonia
- Culture: Kanak people
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: H. 31 x W. 12 3/4 x D. 2 in. (78.7 x 32.4 x 5.1 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Implements
- Credit Line: Gift of John B. Elliott through the Mercer Trust, 2000
- Object Number: 2000.160.9
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Kanak people
19th century
Kanak people
19th century
Kanak people
19th century
Kanak people
19th–early 20th century
Fijian
mid to late 19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.