Provenance: From the collection and Jean-Pierre Laprugne, Paris.

This exquisite prestige staff from the Solomon Islands is a true masterpiece of Oceanian/Australasian art. The carved figures on the wooden staff are a testament to the skill of the artisans who created it. This antique piece is a rare find and will make a beautiful addition to any collection.

The staff has been well-preserved over the years. The wood has a beautiful patina that adds to its antique charm. This original piece is sure to be a conversation starter and a treasured possession for any collector of ethnographic art.

This prestige staff can be dated to the late 19th century to the early 20th century. It showcases a pierced diamond shaped top terminal displaying two carved faces on either side, scalloped and chevron bands, the faceted shaft with diamond shapes to the grip; the wood very light in weight, comes with its custom-made stand.

Length: 82 cm.

Condition: Very good overall, lovely dark brown colour age related patina, minor losses to the edges on the top terminal and a small crack on the grip; some scuffs and few worm holes.

For a very similar example see the French museum: Musée du quai Branly, Inventory number: 70.2014.15.1                            

Probably functional war club associated with warlike and headhunting raids which were frequent, until the British pacification imposed at the end of the 19th century, between the Santa Isabel region and the New Georgia archipelago in the West. The detailed work of the motifs could suggest that this weapon could also have a ceremonial or prestige function in war dances intended to ensure, before departure, the success of the expedition. The visual impact of patterns is fundamental for the perception and effectiveness of oceanic objects. The crocodile motif is very frequently associated, in the west of the Solomon Islands, with the aggressive values ​​implied by the practice of headhunting. We find this crocodile motif carved in a round shape on other masses or on large ceremonial plaques used in honor of the great headhunters after an expedition or even on decorative elements of war canoes.

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