FINE EARLY SOLOMON ISLANDS SPEAR.

56” length. Tapered stepped cane haft with lineal banded and black pigmented decoration at the nodes. Fine split cane basket weave socket in two stages (heavily encrusted with fine glossy patina). Palm wood point, tapered from the swelled medial. The base carved with a baluster, clearly imitating that European form as seen on a whaler railing. Whalers visited the islands during the 18th century trading for provisions. In the 19th century, many island inhabitants were kidnapped for forced labor in Australia.