Bird Head Club
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
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