PAPUA NEW GUINEA STONE WAR CLUB

Good early example dating to the period of cannibalism. Carved tapered wood haft, 14 1/2" length, with woven split cane band below the stone head. Large heavy head of oval form and bun section. The center laboriously stone chipped with biconical hole for the haft. The outside, as well, showing evidence of some stone shaping to achieve symmetry with a medial leading edge. Dark patina with six faded red pigment diamonds to the underside. Haft encrusted and showing several worm holes. All original Oceanic stone head clubs are very rare. This one, in short length, ranks among the rarest.