Vanuatu Shield, Pentecost Island Club, Melanesian Art-Oceanic Art
Those folks in Vanuatu sure make some beautiful clubs—a great variety of shapes that are all elegant. One of the most striking is the type we have here from southern Pentecost Island. The blade has two lobes and a flat-edge projection that itself is grooved with orange pigments. The butt end has fiber wrapped around it. There is a fine overall aged red/brown patina. This type is called a “nalnal” and was used in battle and in ritual dances. The club dates to the late 19th century or earlier, is ex. Todd Barlin, stands 41 ½” (105.6 cm) in height and sells for $4500.